Dyspareunia (painful intercourse) and Vaginismus: When Sex Hurts

You see it in the movies, you read about it online, you hear your friends' stories—sex is fabulous, right? It's the ultimate enjoyment, isn't it?

What if it's not? What if having sex hurts? Or you're not able to have intercourse at all? Or the idea of it makes you nervous? Or nauseous? Does that make you a freak? Is something wrong with you? Do you just have to live with it?

Are you the only one??

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Painful sex is super common and super treatable.

It is so common in fact, that according to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG), nearly 3 out of 4 women have pain during intercourse at some time during their lives.

And approximately 5 percent of men suffer from pain with sexual intercourse, which is almost certainly an underestimation; dyspareunia in men is woefully understudied.

But common is not the same as normal. SEX SHOULD NOT HURT! Let me repeat, sex should not hurt.

Pain with sex can take a huge toll on one's self-esteem, relationships, emotional health, and physical health. In short, it can be devastating. So let’s dive in to learn what sexual pain is, and what can be done about it.