Dyspareunia
Painful intercourse can make intimacy challenging. If you’re experiencing persistent or recurring pain during intercourse, also known as dyspareunia, treatment is available. At Beyond Basics, we specialize in treating dyspareunia through a holistic approach to pelvic health. Our goal is to help alleviate your pain and restore your confidence in intimacy.
Symptoms of Dyspareunia
Dyspareunia refers to pain during or after sexual intercourse. Symptoms can vary and include:
- Pain during penetration, either deep or at the vaginal opening
- Burning, aching, or sharp sensations during intercourse
- Discomfort that lingers after intimacy
- Painful muscle tightness or spasms in the pelvic area
- Reduced sexual desire
- Anxiety due to fear of pain from intercourse
- General tenderness in the pelvic or genital region
How Your Pelvic Floor Can Contribute to Dyspareunia
- Tension and Tightness: Overly tense pelvic floor muscles or tightness in surrounding muscles can make penetration painful.
- Muscle Spasms: Involuntary spasms can trigger sudden, sharp pain during intimacy.
- Weak Muscles: Weak pelvic floor muscles can cause discomfort due to a lack of proper support for pelvic organs.
- Nerve Sensitivity: Dysfunctional pelvic floor muscles can irritate or compress nerves, leading to pain in the pelvic area.
- Reduced Blood Flow: Poor muscle function can impair circulation, limiting oxygen supply to tissues and causing discomfort.
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How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Can Help
At Beyond Basics, we understand how dyspareunia can disrupt your life, and we’re here to help you find relief. Our pelvic floor physical therapy focuses on addressing the root causes of pain and improving your overall function. Our treatment can:
- Significantly reduce or eliminate pain during and after intercourse
- Relax and strengthen pelvic floor muscles for improved comfort
- Enhance your sexual function and intimacy by addressing physical barriers to pleasure
- Improve your overall quality of life and pleasure by helping you feel confident and pain-free
What to Expect During Your Sessions
During Your Initial Appointment
Your first session begins with a thorough evaluation of your symptoms, history, and any areas of discomfort. We take the time to listen and understand your concerns. A physical assessment will follow, focusing on external and internal pelvic floor muscles to identify muscle tension, spasms, or nerve issues contributing to your pain.
These assessments and gentle manual techniques are performed with your consent. The purpose is to locate and address the source of your discomfort. We’ll also explain each step so you feel informed and comfortable throughout the process.
During Your Additional Appointments
Each physical therapy session is customized to your needs. Our treatments involve hands-on therapy (with your permission), targeted exercises, and strategies to improve pelvic muscle function and overall comfort. Our goal is to reduce your pain and symptoms, restore ease during intimacy, and empower you with tools for long-term relief.
Client Testimonials
Beyond Basics: We Can Help
Since 2003, Beyond Basics has been a place of hope and healing for our patients. We believe skilled and compassionate healing can restore your body’s harmony and balance. Founder, Amy Stein, and co-founder, Corey Hazama are renowned experts and leaders in pelvic floor PT.
The skilled physical therapists at Beyond Basics receive extensive training to qualify them to be the world’s leaders in pelvic floor rehabilitation. All of our therapists have been carefully selected to work at Beyond Basics because they possess the right expertise, kindness, and empathy to allow them to excel at our practice. Our therapists have completed hundreds of additional hours outside of their doctorates both internally and externally through institutes such as Herman and Wallace and the American Physical Therapy Association, to help hone their practice and provide exceptional treatment efficiently and compassionately. In addition to being the world’s first and foremost experts in pelvic floor dysfunction, our individual therapists have cultivated additional skills unique to their own personal interests. Read more about each one of our therapists here.
Get help now from a pelvic floor therapist for pain during intercourse
Dyspareunia
— Beyond Basics PT | Pelvic Floor Therapy NYC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes painful intercourse?
Can pelvic floor physical therapy help with sexual pain?
Yes, pelvic floor physical therapy can address sexual pain by targeting the root causes, such as tightness, spasms, or weakness in pelvic floor muscles. Physical therapy often includes manual techniques, exercises, and education to reduce your discomfort and improve function.
How is dyspareunia diagnosed and treated?
Painful sexual intercourse is diagnosed through a comprehensive physical examination and a detailed discussion of symptoms. Potential causes such as vaginal atrophy, vulvar pain, pelvic pain, or sexual dysfunction are considered during a differential diagnosis (ruling out other potential conditions). Treatment often includes pelvic floor physical therapy to address muscle tension, improve flexibility, and reduce your discomfort.
How does pelvic floor dysfunction contribute to painful intercourse?
Pelvic floor dysfunction, such as tight or weak pelvic floor muscles, can cause tension or limit flexibility, leading to discomfort during sexual intercourse.
Will pelvic floor physical therapy help if I experience deep pain during intercourse?
Yes, pelvic floor physical therapy can help alleviate deep pain during intercourse by relaxing tense muscles and improving blood flow to the pelvic area. The physical therapy is customized to address your specific pain points.
Can vaginal dryness worsen dyspareunia?
Yes, vaginal dryness can increase friction and make penetration more uncomfortable, contributing to dyspareunia. Treatment can address dryness alongside pelvic floor dysfunction for comprehensive relief.
Is dyspareunia common after childbirth?
Yes, postpartum dyspareunia can occur as a result of changes in pelvic floor muscles or scar tissue from delivery. Pelvic floor physical therapy is very effective in addressing these issues and helping you regain comfort during intimacy.
How long does it take to see results from pelvic floor therapy?
The time frame varies, but many patients notice improvement in symptoms like sexual pain within a few sessions. Consistent therapy, exercises, and education can lead to long-term relief.
