Dyspareunia

Abstract

Dyspareunia is defined as pain in the genital region during or after vaginal penetration. It is a poorly understood but highly prevalent symptom. Historically, painful sexual experience has been normalised rather than considering it as a potential sign of serious medical issues. Dyspareunia can significantly impact various aspects of a woman’s health, ranging from physical discomfort to emotional and psychological well-being. The condition often disrupts sexual relationships, leading to broader social and mental health challenges. Patients experiencing dyspareunia may face increased feelings of isolation, loneliness and depressive episodes. Given these profound effects, it is essential to address dyspareunia with greater seriousness and provide effective management strategies to improve both the physical and emotional quality of life for those affected. The prevalence ranges from 3–18% globally and 7.5% (1 in 13 women) in the UK. It is usually classified into superficial and deep, and primary and secondary. Superficial dyspareunia is limited to pain around vulva and vagina during penetration. Deep dyspareunia refers to pain in the deeper parts of the pelvis usually involved with deeper penetration. Primary dyspareunia refers to the pain at the beginning of penetration while secondary dyspareunia is pain felt after penetration.