Should sex be painful? ❤️‍🩹 Pain during sex has a medical name: dyspareunia. And while it is more common than many people realise, persistent or recurrent pain during sex deserves attention. Pain may be felt around the entrance of the vagina or deeper inside the pelvis. Possible causes include vaginal dryness, infections, pelvic floor muscle problems such as vaginismus, vulval skin conditions, endometriosis and other pelvic conditions. For women going through perimenopause or menopause, falling oestrogen levels can also cause vaginal dryness and discomfort, and vaginal oestrogen may be an option for some women. The important thing is that treatment depends on the cause. This might include treating an infection or skin condition, pelvic floor physiotherapy, lubricants or moisturisers, vaginal dilators, vaginal oestrogen, or psychosexual support. Please don’t feel that you simply have to endure painful sex. If it keeps happening, speak to your healthcare professional so you can find out why. ❤️ Save this and share it with another woman who might need it. #Dyspareunia #PainfulSex #WomensHealth #SexualHealth #PelvicFloorHealth