Half of women don’t mention it
Carter, A. et al. “Fulfilling His Needs, Not Mine.” Reasons for Not Talking About Painful Sex and Associations with Lack of Pleasure in A Nationally Representative Sample of Women in the United States,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2019) 16:1953.
Prevalence of sexual pain
Herbenick, D. et al. “Pain Experienced During Vaginal and Anal Intercourse with Other-Sex Partners: Findings from a Nationally Representative Probability Sample,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2015)12:1040.
Laumann, E.O et al. The Social Organization of Sexuality: Sexual Practices in the United States, University of Chicago Press, 1994.
Laumann, E.O. et al. “Sexual Dysfunction Among Older Adults: Prevalence and Risk Factors from a Nationally Representative U.S. Probability Sample of Men and Women 57-85 Years of Age,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2008) 5:2300.
Types, and possible causes of women’s sexual pain
Bergeron, S. et al. “Surgical and Behavioral Treatments for Vestibulodynia: Two and One-Half Year Follow-up and Predictors of Outcome,” Obstetrics and Gynecology (2008) 111:159.
Binik, Y.M. et al. “Female Sexual Pain Disorders: Genital Pain or Sexual Dysfunction?” Archives of Sexual Behavior (2002) 31:425.
Boyer, S.C. and C.F. Pukall. “Pelvic Examination Experiences in Women With and Without Chronic Pain During Intercourse,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2014) 11:3035.
Braksmajer, A. “Struggles for Medical Legitimacy Among Women Experiencing Sexual Pain: A Qualitative Study,” Women’s Health (20 17) 15:1.
Burri, A. et al. “Female Sexual Pain: Epidemiology and Genetic Overlap with Chronic Widespread Pain,” European Journal of Pain (2017) 21:1408.
Dargie, E. and C.F. Pukall. “Women in Sexual Pain: Exploring the Manifestations of Vulvodynia,” Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy (2016) 42:309.
Dunn, K.M. et al. “Systematic Review of Sexual Problems: Epidemiology and Methodology,” Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy (2002) 28:399.
Graziottin, A. “Clinical Approach to Dyspareunia,” Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy (2001) 27:489-501.
Graziottin, A. et al. “Vulvodynia: The Challenge of Unexplained Genital Pain,” Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy (2001) 27:503-512.
Graziottin, A. “Etiology and Diagnosis of Coital Pain,” Journal of Endocrinological Investigations (2003) 26(3 Suppl):115.
Graziottin, A. and L.A. Brotto. “Vulvar Vestibulitis: A Clinical Approach,” Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy (2004) 30:125.
Hayes, R.D. et al. “What is the ‘True’ Prevalence of Female Sexual Dysfunction and Does the Way We Assess These Conditions Have an Impact?” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2008) 5:777.
Heiman, J.R. “Sexual Dysfunction: Overview of Prevalence, Etiological Factors, and Treatments,” Journal of Sex Research (2002) 39:73.
Lamont, John, et al. “Psychosexual and Social Profiles of Women with Vulvodynia,” Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy (2001) 27:551-555.
Leclerc, B. et al. “History of Sexual and Physical Abuse in Women with Dyspareunia: Association with Pain, Psychosocial Adjustment, and Sexual Functioning,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2010) 7(2 Part 2):971.
Maseroli, E. et al. “Outcome of Medical and Psychosexual Interventions for Vaginismus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2018) 15:1752.
Nault, T. et al. “Does a History of Bullying and Abuse Predict Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, Chronic Pain, and Sexual Dysfunction?” International Urology and Nephrology (2016) 48:1783.
Parada, M. et al. “Clitorodynia: A Descriptive Study of Clitoral Pain,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2015) 12:1772.
Rancourt, K.M. et al. “It Takes Two: Sexual Communication Patterns and the Sexual and Relational Adjustment of Couples Coping with Provoked Vestibulodynia,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2017) 14:434.
Reissing, E.D. et al. “Vaginal Spasm, Pain, and Behavior: An Empirical Investigation of the Diagnosis of Vaginismus,” Archives of Sexual Behavior (2004) 33:5.
Schliep, K.C. et al. “Sexual and Physical Abuse and Gynecologic Disorders,” Human Reproduction (2016) 31:1904.
Simons, J.S. and M.P. Carey. “Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunctions: Results from a Decade of Research,” Archives of Sexual Behavior (2001) 30:177.
Weijmar-Schultz, W. et al. “Women’s Sexual Pain and Its Management,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2005) 2:301.
Yosef, A. “Multifactorial Contributors to the Severity of Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women,” American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2016) 215:760.
Sexual adjustments can reduce sexual pain
Al-Abbadey, M. et al. “Treatment of Female Sexual Pain Disorders: A Systematic Review,” Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy (2016) 42:99.
Anderson, A.B. et al. “Associations Between Penetration Cognitions, Genital Pain, and Sexual Well-Being in Women with Provoked Vestibulodynia,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2016) 13:444.
Binik, Y.M. et al. “The Female Sexual Pain Disorders: Genital Pain or Sexual Dysfunction?” Archives of Sexual Behavior (2002) 31:425.
Flink, I.K. et al. “Coping with Pain in Intimate Situations: Applying the Avoidance-Endurance Model to Women with Vulvovaginal Pain,” Scandinavian Journal of Pain (2017) epub ahead of print.
Other effective treatments
Bergeron, S et al. “A Randomized Comparison of Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Biofeedback, and Vestibulectomy in the Treatment of Dyspareunia Resulting from Vulvar Vestibulitis,” Pain (2001) 91:297.
Bergeron, S. et al. “Surgical and Behavioral Treatments for Vetibulodynia: Two and One-Half Year Follow-up and Predictors of Outcome,” Obstetrics and Gynecology (2008) 111:159.
Bergeron, S. et al. “A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and a Topical Steroid for Women with Dyspareunia,” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (2016) 84:259.
Boerner, K.E. and N.O. Rosen. “Acceptance of Vulvovaginal Pain in Women with Provoked Vestibulodynia and Their Partners: Associations with Pain, Psychological, and Sexual Adjustment,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2015) 12:1450.
Danielsson, I. et al. “EMG Biofeedback Vs.Topical Lidocaine Gel: A Randomized Study for the Treatment of Women with Vulvar Vestibulitis,” Acta Obstetrica Gynecoligica Scandinavica (2006) 85:1360.
Goldfinger, C. et al. “Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Physical Therapy for Provoked Vestibulodynia: A Randomized Pilot Study,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2016) 13:88.
Herbenick, D. et al. “Pain Experienced During Vaginal and Anal Intercourse with Other-Sex Partners: Findings from a Nationally Representative Probability Sample,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2015)12:1040.
Huang, A.J. et al. “Development and Feasibility of a Group-Based Therapeutic Yoga Program for Women with Chronic Pelvic Pain,” Pain Medicine (2017) 18:1864.
Kandyba, K. and Y.M. Binik. “Hypnotherapy as a Treatment for Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome: A Case Report,” Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy (2003) 29:237.
Lemieux, A.J. et al. “Do Romantic Partners’ Responses to Entry Dyspareunia Affect Women’s Experience of Pain? The Role of Catastrophizing and Self-Efficacy,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2013) 10:2274.
MacReady, N. “Biofeedback, Kegels Can Ease Pain in Vestibulitis,” Family Practice News 9-1-2003.
Metts, JF. “Vulvodynia and Vulvar Vestibulitis: Challenges in Diagnosis and Management,” American Family Physician 3-15-1999. 59:1547.
Pukall, C. et al. “Effectiveness of Hypnosis for the Treatment of Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome: A Preliminary Investigation,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2007) 4:417.
Rancourt, K.M. et al. “Talking About Sex When Sex is Painful: Dyadic Sexual Communication Is Associated with Women’s Pain, and Couple’s Sexual and Psychological Outcomes in Provoked Vestibulodynia,” Archives of Sexual Behavior (2016) 45:1933.
Schlaeger, J.M. et al. “Acupuncture for the Treatment of Vulvodynia: A Randomized, Wait-List Controlled Pilot Study,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2015) 12:1019.
TerKuile, M.M. and P.T.M. Weijenborg. “A Cognitive-Behavioral Group Program for Women with Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome (VVS): Factors Associated with Treatment Success,” Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy (2006) 32:199.
Thomten, J. et al. “Fear Avoidance and Pain Catastrophizing Among Women with Sexual Pain,” Women’s Health (London) (2014) 10:571.
Intrarosa
Archer, D.F. et al. “Treatment of Pain at Sexual Activity (Dyspareunia) with Intravaginal Dehydroepiandrosterone (Prasterone),” Menopause (2015) 22:950.
Labrie, F. et al. “Efficacy of Intravaginal Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on Moderate to Severe Dyspareunia and Vaginal Dryness, Symptoms of Vulvovaginal Atrophy, and of the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause,” Menopause (2016) 23:243.
Labrie, F. et al. “Combined Data of Intravaginal Prasterone Against Vulvovaginal Atrophy of Menopause,” Menopause (2017) 24:1246.
Labrie, F. et al. “Effect of Intravaginal Prasterone on Sexual Dysfunction in Postmenopausal Women with Vulvovaginal Atrophy,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2015) 12:2401.
Labrie, F. et al. “Influence of Treatment of Vulvovaginal Atrophy with Intravaginal Prasterone on the Male Partner,” Climacteric (2015) 18:817.
Voelker, R. “Relief for Painful Intercourse,” Journal of the American Medical Association (2017) 317:18.
Men may also suffer sexual pain
Herbenick, D. et al. “Pain Experienced During Vaginal and Anal Intercourse with Other-Sex Partners: Findings from a Nationally Representative Probability Sample,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2015) 12:1040.