New Delhi: For couples aiming to have a baby, intercourse is often anticipated to be a positive experience. Yet for some, the anxiety of sexual intercourse pain (dyspareunia) leads to associated physical and emotional distress, affecting relationships and the fertility journey. This problem, however, is often ignored but significantly affects the healthy conception of a couple. Knowledge of the underlying causes, emotional implications, and solutions may assist partners in dealing with this issue.
In an interaction with News9Live, Diana Divya Crasta- Chief psychological Counsellor at Nova IVF Fertility, Bangalore, spoke about how painful intercourse can adversely affect fertility in couples.
What Causes Painful Intercourse?
Sexual pain during intercourse may arise due to physical and psychological reasons. Vaginal infections, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), fibroids, and ovarian cysts all may present with pain. Hormonal disturbances, specifically, low estrogen, may lead to vaginal dryness which may contribute to painful intercourse. Psychological factors, including anxiety, past trauma, or fear of intimacy, may also contribute to pain. Vaginismus (involuntary contraction of vaginal muscles) may, in some cases, cause difficulty with or impossibility of penetration. The first step in finding relief is to determine the root cause.
How Fear of Pain Affects Intimacy and Relationship Dynamics
If a person suffers intercourse pain, he/she starts to link intimacy with pain, resulting in avoidance behaviour or fear. For instance, with time this fear can lead to partners’ distance, generating a sense of frustration, resentment, or guilt. The partner who does not experience pain may feel rejected or helpless, while the one in pain may struggle with feelings of inadequacy. These emotional stresses can result in a loss of intimacy and, subsequently, in the reduced probability of conception.
Impact on Fertility
Partners experiencing severe dyspareunia may be unable to participate in typical, stress-free sexual activity, hence decreasing the likelihood of spontaneous conception. Intercourse graded in time, the determiner of conception, can transform from a source of pleasure to suffering. Stress and anxiety caused by these events may further disrupt hormonal regulation and lead to anovulation and spermatogenesis failure. Additionally, underlying medical conditions causing pain, such as endometriosis or infections, can directly impact fertility. Seeking medical intervention early can improve both physical and emotional well-being.
Breaking the Cycle: Solutions and Treatment Options
The treatment of painful intercourse needs medical and psychological together effort. Consultations with a fertility specialist may be able to identify and treat related physical conditions. Vulvar moisturizers, lubricants, and hormone therapies can treat dryness, while pelvic floor therapies can treat vaginismus, etc. Counseling or sex therapy can be used to counter psychological barriers, enabling couples to talk to each other openly about what they are afraid of and what they want to happen. Recreation of trust and comfort can be achieved through the practice of relaxation techniques, slow desensitization, and non-penetrational sexual experiences. However, the successful resolution of these obstacles depends on shared support and forbearance from both partners.
Conclusion
Painful intercourse is a valid complaint that can impact a couple’s conception plan and maintain a good relationship. Nevertheless, it is satisfactory to treat when proper medical supervision and psychological support are provided. Open communication, the use of professional services, and a kind attitude, all can lead couples to feel more assured about their level of intimacy and can increase their chances of having a successful pregnancy. Early seeking of help can be very beneficial to the mental health and outcome of fertility.
Hormonal disturbances, specifically, low estrogen, may lead to vaginal dryness which may contribute to painful intercourse. Psychological factors, including anxiety, past trauma, or fear of intimacy, may also contribute to pain. Health Conditions Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
