Are you experiencing pain during intercourse?

For many women, it is already hard enough to orgasm and enjoy sex but when intercourse becomes an experience of pain,sexual satisfaction becomes impossible. Many women don't know what to do or say when they experience pain.

There are a variety of reasons that intercourse pain occurs and it is normal that it might surface seemingly out of nowhere. All women who experience intercourse pain are highly advised to visit a professional, preferably a gynecologist, to determine the cause and severity of the intercourse pain.

What causes it?

- Vaginismus: It's a spasm of the vaginal muscles, caused mainly by fear of being hurt. This spasm is often so painful that intercourse is impossible - sometimes for years. Causes - painful vaginal infections, unease with the partner, childhood sexual abuse

- Problems with your cervix: The man's penis hits the cervix at maximum penetration. So infections of the cervix and 'raw' places on it can cause pain during deep penetration.

- Womb trouble: Various womb disorders, including fibroids, can cause deep intercourse pain.

- Endometriosis: This very common disorder often affects the womb and surrounding tissay causues. The 'poking' of a penis on a tender area of endometriosis me intense, deep pain.

- Ovary problems: Cysts on the ovary can cause deep pain. Pain may also be caused if the tip of the penis hits an unusually positioned ovary.

- Ectopic pregnancy: This means a pregnancy outside the womb usually in the Fallopian tube. Pressure on it can be very painful.

Other Causes -

• Lack of lubrication
• Menopausal or post-menopausal dryness
• Injury to the vulva or vagina
• Vaginal infections
• Vulvitis: This means inflammation of the vulva
• Urethral caruncle: This is a tender patch that develops at the urinary opening.

Read: Sex Tips! Understand Women's Sexual Desire and How to Enjoy the Sexual Experience