PAINFUL SEX PROBLEMS IN NIGERIA

When a woman feels pain while having sexual intercourse, it is called dyspareunia. Painful sex is fairly common. Nearly 2 out of 3 women have it at some time during their lives. The pain can range from very mild to severe.
Pain during sex is a sign there may be a problem. Talk to your doctor about the pain so that the cause can be found and treated as soon as possible. Proper treatment can help you enjoy your sex life.
Dyspareunia is painful sexual intercourse, due to medical or psychological causes. The symptom is reported almost exclusively by women, although the problem can also occur in men. The causes are often reversible, even when long-standing, but self-perpetuating pain is a factor after the original cause has been removed.


CAUSES
What causes pain during sexual intercourse?

The quality of your sex life is important at every age. One problem that can be hard to talk about is painful sex. The pain can be at the opening of the vagina and vulva, inside the vagina, or deeper in the pelvic area. Sex should never be painful. When it is, it means that something is wrong. In many cases, simple things such as a lack of natural lubrication in the vagina or an awkward position can be the cause. There are many physical and emotional factors that can cause painful intercourse.
You may feel pain at the opening of your vagina or in the vulva, which is the area around the vaginal opening. Even a gentle touch in this area may cause pain. The pain can be caused by:

[1]infection
[2]irritation from soaps, spermicides, or other chemicals
[3]a problem called vulvar dystrophy, which is a thinning or thickening of the skin of the vulva

Pain during sex can be caused by vaginal dryness. Possible causes of vaginal dryness are:

[1]a lack of natural moisture resulting from not enough foreplay
[2]hormonal changes such as those that happen during breast-feeding or during or after menopause
[3]psychological factors that affect your level of sexual arousal

Examples of other problems that can cause pain in the vaginal or vulvar area are:

[1]Bartholin's gland cyst, a swelling of a gland near the opening of the vagina
[2]scarring of tissues from a pelvic infection, childbirth, or vaginal or pelvic surgery
[3]injury to the vaginal area

Sometimes the muscles at the opening of the vagina tighten because of spasms. The muscle tightening can make the vaginal opening smaller. It may even close the opening. This condition is called vaginismus. It causes pain and the penis may not be able to enter the vagina. Psychological factors such as a fear of intercourse, fear of getting pregnant, or fear of being hurt may cause the vaginal muscles to tighten.

You may feel pain deep inside your vagina during sexual intercourse. This can be caused by problems such as:

[1]movements that are too forceful
[2]bladder that is too full
[3]infection of the bladder, vagina, or pelvis
[4]growths in the uterus called fibroids
[5]ovarian cysts (fluid-filled sacs in or on an ovary)
[6]endometriosis, an abnormal growth of uterine tissue outside the uterus
[7]prolapsed (fallen) uterus, meaning the uterus has moved from its normal position down into your vagina
[8]tipped uterus (the uterus is tipped backward and downward)
[9]scarring of tissues from a pelvic infection
[10]injury to the vagina from childbirth, rape, or sexual abuse.

A number of conditions may cause pain and / or discomfort during sexual intercourse. These conditions include:
[1] Vaginal dryness
[2] Inadequate foreplay
[3] Poor sexual technique
[4] Sexual anxiety
[5] Menopause
[6 ]Perimenopause
[7] Recent childbirth - due to both reduced libido and physical vaginal injuries or stretching.
[8] Lactaton - the requirements of breastfeeding causes vaginal dryness from reduced hormone levels.

Some other physical medical disorder causes of intercourse pain in women include:
[1]Vaginal injury - such as a bruised vagina from many possible causes (such as from a previous episode of painful or forceful intercourse)
[2] Pregnancy
[3] Post-childbirth - many women experience intercourse pain while the vagina recovers from childbirth changes.
[4]Episiotomy - if this procedure is performed for childbirth, this can cause painful intercourse.
[5] Vaginal infection
[6] Cystitis
[7] Urethritis
[8] Vulva infection
[9] Skin condition
[10] Atrophic vaginitis
[11] Vaginal abnormality
[12] Vestigial vagina
[13] Vaginal changes from childbirth
[14] Narrow vaginal
[15] Thick hymen
[16] Endometriosis
[17] Hemorrhoids

SOME DEFINITIONS

[1] VAGINAL INFECTION
Certain vaginal infections such as vaginal yeast infections and trichomoniasis are often present without noticeable symptoms. However during sexual intercourse, the rubbing motion of the penis against the vagina and genitalia sometimes causes the symptoms of these vaginal infections to intensify causing stinging and burning. Genital herpes sores are another frequent cause of pain during sex.

[2] VAGINAL IRRITATION
Many products contain irritants which can cause vaginal irritation leading to discomfort or pain during vaginal sexual intercourse. These include:
[a]Any contraceptive foams, creams, or jellies
[b]Allergic reactions to condoms, diaphragms, or latex gloves
[c]Vaginal deodorant sprays
[d]Scented tampons
[e]Deodorant soaps
[f]Laundry detergents in sensitive individuals
[g]Excessive vaginal douching

[3] VAGINAL DRYNESS
Vaginal dryness often causes painful sexual intercourse. Normal vaginal lubrication is a given for most women; however, during certain times the vagina may be dry and make vaginal penetration painful. Lack of vaginal lubrication can be caused by several factors including:

[a] Trying to achieve vaginal penetration too fast before enough stimulation has occurred to allow normal vaginal lubrication to take place;
[b] Feeling nervous or tense about the sexual experience can slow down the release of vaginal lubrication;
[c] Using a condom may make vaginal intercourse difficult without the addition of a vaginal lubricant such as AstroGlide, K-Y Jelly, and other products. Saliva is an acceptable for vaginal lubrication; however, never use a petroleum-based product such as Vaseline (petroleum products can cause deterioration of condoms and also may create a breeding ground for vaginal infections)
[d] Hormonal imbalance during menopause or the years preceding menopause can cause vaginal dryness, as can hormonal imbalance following childbirth. This hormonal imbalance is caused by a decrease in normal estrogen levels which can cause the walls of the vagina to become dry. Women experiencing vaginal dryness for these reasons should use one of the vaginal lubrication methods listed above. Women in menopause with severe vaginal dryness should talk to their health care provider about a prescribed estrogen cream to be used vaginally.

[4]VAGINAL TIGHTNESS
Occasionally this happens when you feel tense, or are not fully relaxed when penetration occurs.
Difficulty penetrating a tight vagina can happen even when vaginal lubrication is not a problem.
Often, the first few times you engage in sexual intercourse, the vagina may be tight due to an
unstretched hymen and cause pain at the time of penetration.Sometimes a more severe condition called vaginismus is responsible for vaginal tightness;
women with vaginismus experience strong, involuntary muscle spasms of the vaginal muscles
during sexual intercourse or vaginal penetration by any object including fingers and tampons.

[5]PAIN OF THE CLITORIS
The clitoris is the most sensitive part of the female genitalia.
Gentle touching or rubbing of the clitoris is extremely pleasurable for some women,
while for others it is unbearably painful. Clitoral pain may also occur due to poor hygiene;
vaginal secretions may collect under the clitoral hood and if not carefully washed away may lead to pain.

[6] PELVIC PAIN
Occasionally a women will experience pelvic pain upon deep, thrusting penetration. Many conditions may cause this pain including:

[a] Tears in the ligaments that support the uterus (causes include problems during childbirth, inappropriately performed abortion, previous violent sexual intercourse or rape)
[b] Cervical, uterine, or tubal infections such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
[c] Pelvic adhesions (often the result of previous pelvic surgery or PID)
[d] Endometriosis
[e] Ovarian cysts
[f] Uterine Fibroid Tumors

[7] PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE [PID] / SALPINGITIS
PID is the most common cause of tubal factor infertility. The infection involves the upper genital tract (the uterus, the fallopian tubes and the ovaries) and structures around these organs. The infection of the fallopian tube (salpingitis) is the most crucial element causing infertility. The fallopian tube is lined with special, ciliated cells that direct the egg toward the sperm and the fertilized egg into the uterine cavity. Infection can destroy these cells and distort and/or block the tube. The main bacterial culprits are Neisseria gonococcus (NG) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT). NG is directly kills the special cells; CT probably destroys cells through immunological mechanisms. With the infection, the tubes can become thickened, distorted and blocked. Abscesses can form between the tube and the ovary or in the adjacent pelvis, and can be life threatening. This condition requires prompt, broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment. Interestingly, in about half of cases of tubal infertility secondary to PID, there is no history of acute infection. Chlamydia in particular can linger in the genital tract, causing ongoing subclinical damage. Chronic pelvic pain, infertility and ectopic pregnancy (where the pregnancy develops in the tube instead of the uterus) are the serious consequences of PID.

DIAGNOSIS/ TESTING

Your healthcare provider will ask about the pain. You may have a pelvic exam and tests to look for infection or other problems. Tests may include:

[1] Cultures for infection, called High Vaginal Swab [HVS]
[2] Blood tests
[3] Urine tests
[4] Pelvic Ultrasound Scan , especially Transvaginal Scan
[5] Laparoscopy (surgery to look at your pelvic organs)


PREVENTION
[1]Good hygiene and routine medical care will help to some degree.
[2]Adequate foreplay and stimulation will help to ensure proper lubrication of the vagina.
[3]The use of a water-soluble lubricant like K-Y Jelly may also help. Vaseline should not be used as a sexual lubricant because it is not compatible with latex condoms (it causes them to break), it is not water soluble, and it may encourage vaginal infections.
[4] Practicing safe sex can help prevent sexually transmitted diseases.



TREATMENT

Your treatment depends on the cause of the pain.
[1] If you have an infection, your provider will prescribe medicine for it.
[2] If vaginal dryness is the cause, your provider may recommend using a water-based lubricant every day or every time you have sex to decrease pain or discomfort. Lubricants can be purchased at a drugstore.
[3] During or after menopause, an estrogen cream put on the vaginal area may help.
[4] Kegel exercises and dilators of the vagina can help vaginismus.
Depending on the cause, other possible treatments include counseling or surgery.



HOW YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

[1]If you have itching, burning, pain, or other symptoms of irritation or infection, see your healthcare provider. Follow the treatment prescribed or recommended by your provider.
[2]Use a water-based vaginal lubricant when you have sex.
[3]Avoid using soaps, spermicides, or other chemicals that can irritate the skin of your genital area.
[4]Talk to your partner about what might help to increase your readiness for sex.
[5]If psychological or emotional problems appear to be contributing to the problem, see a therapist or marriage counselor.


JOAS MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIX Ikotun Lagos Nigeria ,have a well equipped computerised laboratory and also a 4D Colour Doppler Ultrasound Scan. We also have qualified, very experienced and licensed medical laboratory scientists and Clinical Specialist Sonographers. We offer accurate Painful sex Testing like blood tests and urine cultures, including High Vaginal Swab [HVS], Pap Smear and Pelvic Ultrasound Scan [Transvaginal Scan]. We also offer other laboratory tests. If you suspect you have Painful sex or other Sexual dysfunction conditions, contact JOAS MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIX Ikotun Lagos Nigeria.

Regards
Dr. Victor Efughi
Consultant Clinical Specialist Sonographer

For FREE Consultation and FREE Counseling. Also for Quality and Accurate Medical Diagnostic Tests Contact
JOAS MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIX

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