From Pain to Pleasure: Addressing Pain With Intercourse
Sexual health is an essential part of overall well-being, yet pain during intercourse is an issue many women experience at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, it often goes unspoken. Pain with penetration, burning sensations, or deep pelvic discomfort can significantly affect emotional health, relationships, and confidence.
Pelvic pain during intimacy is not something you need to live with. With the right understanding and care, relief and recovery are possible.
Understanding Pain With Intercourse
Pain during sexual activity, medically called dyspareunia, can vary in intensity and location.
It may feel like a sharp or burning sensation near the opening, deep internal pain, or discomfort during or after penetration.
This type of pain can have physical, hormonal, and emotional contributors. Identifying the cause is the first step toward healing.
Common Causes of Dyspareunia
Pelvic Floor Muscle Tension
One of the most common causes of painful intercourse is tight or overactive pelvic floor muscles. These muscles surround and support the vaginal and anal openings. When they are constantly tense, penetration can feel painful, like hitting resistance.
Scar Tissue
Childbirth, surgery, or pelvic trauma can create scar tissue that reduces flexibility and makes surrounding tissues more sensitive. This can lead to discomfort during movement or intimacy.
Infections or Inflammation
Conditions like yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease can cause inflammation and tenderness. Proper medical assessment is important to rule these out before physiotherapy.
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Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes during postpartum, breastfeeding, perimenopause, or menopause can reduce natural lubrication, leading to dryness and friction. When tissue becomes fragile or less elastic, it may cause discomfort or tearing sensations.
Psychological and Nervous System Factors
Stress, anxiety, and past negative experiences can all contribute to pelvic pain. When the body feels unsafe, the nervous system triggers muscle guarding as a protective response. This tightens the pelvic floor and relieves pain. Your pain is real, even when it involves emotional or psychological factors.
The Role of Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
Pelvic floor physiotherapy offers a comprehensive and compassionate approach to addressing pain with intercourse. It focuses on retraining the muscles, calming the nervous system, and restoring trust and comfort in your body.
Assessment
Your physiotherapist will assess muscle tone, sensitivity, and coordination, as well as contributing factors like posture, breathing, and stress patterns.
Manual Therapy
Gentle techniques help release tension, improve flexibility, and reduce muscle guarding. This may include both external and internal approaches, depending on your comfort level.
Biofeedback
Using biofeedback technology, you can visualize how your muscles activate and relax. This helps you learn how to release unnecessary tension.
Breathing and Relaxation Training
The diaphragm and pelvic floor are deeply connected. Learning how to breathe correctly helps reduce guarding and promotes relaxation of the pelvic muscles.
Education and Empowerment
Understanding how your body works is powerful. You will learn how to care for your pelvic health, maintain progress at home, and prevent recurrence.
Why Choose Ova in Burnaby, BC?
At Ova, we are more than a pelvic floor physiotherapy clinic. We are internationally trained and highly specialized in the assessment and treatment of pelvic pain and sexual pain conditions. With more than 2,000 successful complex cases treated, our expertise extends far beyond standard pelvic floor care.
Our approach is grounded in clinical excellence, compassion, and advanced science. We understand that pelvic pain is rarely one-dimensional and that lasting recovery requires addressing both the physical and nervous system components of pain. Every session is designed to help you understand your body, regain control, and restore confidence in your sexual health.
Located in Burnaby, BC, we serve patients from across British Columbia and beyond who seek specialized treatment for pelvic pain, painful intercourse, postpartum dysfunction, and chronic pelvic conditions. Our focus is on providing care that is evidence-based, trauma-informed, and tailored to your individual experience.
If you are struggling with pelvic or sexual pain, you deserve specialized care from a clinician who understands the complexity of these conditions. At Ova, we combine advanced clinical skill, empathy, and education to help you heal safely and permanently.
Ready to Begin?
Don’t wait. The sooner we start, the sooner you can feel relief. Space is limited due to high demand, but if you are ready to take the first step toward recovery, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pain With Intercourse
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Pain can result from muscle tension, scar tissue, hormonal changes, infections, or stress-related guarding. Pelvic floor dysfunction is one of the most common underlying causes.
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Yes. Pelvic floor physiotherapy helps release muscle tension, improve circulation, and retrain your body to relax during intimacy. It addresses both the physical and nervous system components of pain.
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Physiotherapy can still help. The sessions are conducted in a supportive, trauma-informed way that focuses on helping your body feel safe again. You can move at your own pace and stay fully in control throughout treatment.
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Yes. Relaxation-based breathing, gentle stretching, warm compresses, and using appropriate lubricants can all help reduce discomfort. Your therapist will provide a tailored home plan to support your progress.
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Yes, and it is completely understandable. Many patients feel nervous before their first session, especially if they have been in pain for a long time. Your therapist will take time to explain every step, ensure consent, and move at your comfort level.
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If you experience pain for more than a few days, avoid intimacy due to fear of pain, or have symptoms that impact your quality of life, it is time to book an assessment with a pelvic floor physiotherapist.
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