health

Dysparunia
is the condition in which sexual intercourse is painful for women. As
the pain is greater than any pleasure derived from sexual intercourse, a
woman experiencing dysparunia is likely to avoid sexual relationships.
The causes of this condition are varied, but they can be grouped according
to whether the pain is felt during or after intercourse.
If the pain is felt during intercourse, it may be caused by infection to the
vulva*, the vagina*, or the Bartholin glands*. Other causes include the aftereffects
of surgery from childbirth and congenital irregularities in the hymen
(the membrane that covers the opening to the vagina) or the vaginal walls.
If the pain is felt after intercourse, its cause may be an infection of
the cervix*, uterus, or fallopian tubes*. Most often these are the results of
pelvic inflammatory disease caused by the sexually transmitted bacteria,
chlamydia and gonorrhea. Other causes can be a pelvic tumor or internal
scar tissue that forms after surgery or an infection.
Many women suffer pelvic pain and infertility due to endometriosis,
a condition in which tissue cells similar to the ones lining the uterus
are found outside the uterus in the abdominal cavity or in other organs.
When these cells line the ovaries or the fallopian tubes they can interfere
with the normal functioning of these organs leading to infertility.
Endometriosis can also be the cause of other sexual disorders.
Vaginismus, the involuntary contractions of vaginal muscles, is a
symptom associated with many sexual dysfunctions. When this symptom
occurs, the sexual act is interrupted as penetration becomes difficult or
painful for the woman. It can be caused by current infections or by previous
painful vaginal experience such as surgery or difficult childbirth. It is
a natural reaction to anticipated pain of intercourse.
Vaginitis and vaginal atrophy are conditions resulting in irritation in
the vagina. Vaginitis is usually the result of an infection. Vaginal atrophy
is usually caused by the lack of lubrication associated with age.
Consistent irritation in the vulva area is referred to as vulvodynia.
This condition occurs without warning and continues without relief. It
is usually caused by damage to the nerves in that area. It usually occurs
with (or is instigated by) a number of other conditions, including yeast
infection, skin disorders, and diabetes. Vulvodynia can only be diagnosed
by ruling out any other disorder as the cause.
Sexual arousal disorder is the condition in which a woman cannot be
fully aroused to have sexual relations. It is often found to be caused by
psychological conditions, such as fear of intimacy or loathing the current
sex partner. However, there are several physical conditions that can lead
to lack of sexual arousal. These include vaginitis, endometriosis, diabetes,
or aging. If a woman knows that she has no psychological reason to reject
sexual relations, she should have a health exam to determine if any medical
problem could be the cause of her sexual arousal disorder