Painful Sex (Dyspareunia)
When intimacy becomes uncomfortable or distressing
Painful sex — also called dyspareunia — refers to pain during or after sexual intercourse.
It is common, but it isn’t something you should have to accept. It can affect relationships, self-confidence, and quality of life, and many women feel unsure about raising it.
Painful sex is often linked to underlying gynaecological conditions that can be identified and treated.
What causes painful sex
Common causes include:
Pelvic floor muscle tension
Pelvic inflammation or scarring
Hormonal changes, including around menopause
Sometimes more than one factor is involved, which is why careful assessment is important.
How painful sex is assessed
Assessment begins with understanding when and where the pain occurs, how long it has been present, and whether it changes during your cycle.
This is often followed by specialist pelvic ultrasound to assess the uterus, ovaries, and surrounding structures and to look for:
Endometriosis
Adenomyosis
Fibroids
Ovarian cysts
Reduced organ mobility
My training in advanced pelvic ultrasound (ASUM DDU) allows subtle causes of pain to be detected when routine scans are normal.
Treatment options
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include:
Pelvic floor therapy
Hormonal or non-hormonal treatments
Targeted treatment of conditions such as endometriosis or fibroids
Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery when appropriate
We will talk through what is happening and what options are available so that care can be tailored to you.
How I can help
I have a special interest in the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic pain and painful sex, combining specialist imaging with fellowship-trained laparoscopic surgery to understand what is driving symptoms and how best to treat them.
Related services
Book an appointment
If sex is painful or uncomfortable, you can book a consultation online.