Painful Intercourse

Diagnosis

We know that painful intercourse is not an easy topic, but a candid conversation with your doctor can provide important clues to help you with your diagnosis and treatment. You can count on our experts to listen with compassion and empathy.

The more we know, the more accurate your diagnosis and individualized your treatment can be. We will take a thorough medical and sexual history, ask questions to gauge your emotional wellbeing, and discuss any other issues that may affect your sexual health, such as stress.

Your doctor may examine your genital area or perform a pelvic exam to check for skin irritation, infection or structural problems. Further testing, if needed, may include a pelvic ultrasound.

Treatment

We want to get you back to pursuits that matter to you, including a healthy physical relationship with your spouse or partner. We will help you manage any fears and anxieties about your condition, understand the underlying causes, and choose the best treatment option for you. 

Treatment may include: 

• Topical estrogen—applied to increase lubrication if your symptoms are related to vaginal dryness* 
• Desensitization therapy—teaches relaxation exercises that may decrease pain 
• Counseling—identifies issues that may be expressed as sexual problems 
• Sex therapy—focuses on the couple's physical relationship 
• Treatment of any physical condition that may be causing you pain 

*For women who suffer from vaginal dryness, we may suggest Mona Lisa TouchTM, a therapy available exclusively at The Christ Hospital Health Network. 

Mona Lisa Touch^TM

Mona Lisa TouchTM is an innovative non-hormonal treatment for vaginal atrophy and dryness that often cause painful intercourse. This new, painless procedure is a minimally invasive laser treatment that stimulates collagen and restores the vagina to a pre-menopausal state. 

One simple treatment, lasting only a few minutes, without pain, side effects or recovery time, can give the tissue the tone and elasticity it once had, with positive effects on one's quality of life and personal relationships. 

Three treatments, six weeks apart, relieve symptoms for approximately one year. A recent study performed by our experts in conjunction with Stanford University (which is the only U.S. trial to date) confirms significant improvement in the symptoms as early as a few weeks after the first treatment.

Minimally Invasive Surgical Treatment 

Talk with your provider about your concerns if they recommend surgical treatment for a medical cause of your painful intercourse. Fear of the unknown and lack of knowledge can lead women to ignore symptoms and delay treatment. 

We specialize in minimally invasive surgeries using small incisions. These procedures mean you have less scarring, fewer complications, decreased pain and faster recovery—so you can get home and back to your life sooner. 

Your surgery may be performed at our state-of-the-art Women’s Surgery Center, which is specifically designed for women and features innovative technology such as the da Vinci surgical system for robotic-assisted gynecologic surgery. We also feature telemedicine technology for real-time, remote consultations with pathologists.