Sexual intimacy and intercourse should provide some of life’s greatest pleasures. But because the female urogenital and reproductive organs are very susceptible to adhesions, intercourse can become painful, dissatisfying, and embarrassing. Many women still believe the old misconception that “there isn’t anything that can be done,” or “it’s just the way it is,” or “my mother didn’t enjoy sexual intimacy and neither did hers, therefore I won’t be able to either.”
If you are not satisfied with sexual intercourse, you are not alone. Did you know:
- Approximately 50% of all US women and 43% of women aged 18-59 experience female sexual dysfunction (FSD) according to data from Urology and the Journal of the American Medical Association.
- In 2000, the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy classified female sexual dysfunction into six measurable domains: desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain.
- Intercourse pain affects between 46% and 60% of all US women, according to reports in American Family Physician (2001) and Obstetrics & Gynecology (1996).
Although sexual dysfunction and intercourse pain are prevalent among women, these conditions should not be considered “normal” or “untreatable.” A study published by the Journal of Sexual Medicine (2006)1 found that many female competitive bicyclists experienced decreased genital sensation. The researchers found that external genital nerves and arteries were negatively affected by being directly compressed in women who consistently cycled an average of at least 10 miles a week, four weeks per month. The results of their study can also be applied to other physical activities such as horseback riding.
Other known causes of sexual dysfunction and intercourse pain include bladder infections, yeast infections, inflammatory disorders, sexually transmitted diseases, pelvic surgeries, physical or sexual abuse, etc. All of these conditions can cause adhesions to form within the reproductive tract. Adhesions can restrict and blanket the delicate structures of the reproductive system, causing decreased sensation (such as in bicyclists) or painful intercourse.
So what can a woman do once she experiences sexual dysfunction or painful intercourse? First, she should speak with her doctor to make sure there is not a greater problem at hand, such as endometriosis or a sexually transmitted disease. The doctor can then ascertain if the vulva has been damaged in any way and determine the proper treatment.
Our therapists have helped many women overcome pelvic pain and dysfunction. Request a free phone consultation with an expert therapist to learn more about our treatment.
“Our results: sexual function and pain level improvements”
- 93% of women in the natural fertility study reported decreased pain 2
- 96% of sexual function study participants reported reduced sexual intercourse pain 3
- 56% had improved or first-time orgasms 3
- 65% had increased satisfaction 3
- 70% had increased lubrication 3
- 74% had increases in their arousal 3
- 78% had greater or renewed desire (libido) 3
- 91% had overall increased sexual function 3
References
- Marsha K. Guess, Kathleen Connell, Steven Schrader, Susan Reutman, Andrea Wang, Julie LaCombe, Christine Toennis, Brian Lowe, Arnold Melman, Magdy Mikhail. “Genital Sensation and Sexual Function in Women Bicyclists and Runners: Are Your Feet Safer than Your Seat?” Journal of Sexual Medicine. Vol. 3, No. 6.
- Wurn BF, Wurn LJ, King CR, et al. Treating female infertility and improving IVF pregnancy rates with a manual physical therapy technique. Medscape General Medicine. 2004;6(2). Available (registration required) at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/480429.
- Wurn LJ, Wurn BF, King CR, et al. Increasing orgasm and decreasing dyspareunia with a manual physical therapy technique. Medscape General Medicine. 2004;6(4). Available (registration required) at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/493989.
“If the information in this article sounds like it may relate to what you’re experiencing, the team at Clear Passage® Physical Therapy is here to help. Many people living with this condition simply want to know if there is a natural treatment option without drugs or surgery that could work for them. The good news is you don’t have to figure it out alone. You can request more information to speak with a knowledgeable team member who will review your situation and help you understand whether this specialized therapy may be a good fit. If you’re ready to move forward, you can also apply for therapy so the clinical staff can carefully review your health history and determine the best path toward relief. Taking a few minutes to reach out could be the first step toward getting answers—and possibly getting your life back.”