Pain During Intercourse (cont.)

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Symptoms of pain related to sexual intercourse can occur when entry is attempted or during and/or immediately following sexual intercourse.

• The most common symptom is pain on entry (intromission). The pain may be described as sharp or burning.
• The second most common symptom is deep pain.
• Other symptoms include feelings of muscle spasms, pelvic cramping, or muscle tightness.

Pain during intercourse may be described as primary or secondary; as complete or situational; and as superficial-entrance or deep thrust types.

• Primary pain with intercourse is pain that has existed for the woman's entire sexual lifetime.
• Secondary pain develops after a symptom-free period of time.
• Complete pain means the woman experiences pain in all times during intercourse.
• Situational pain occurs with a particular partner or a certain type of stimulation.
• Superficial-entrance pain is noticeable at penetration.
• Deep thrust pain is located at the cervix or in the lower abdominal area and is noticeable during or after penetration.

A woman may perceive pain during intercourse even without any physical cause. Sexual pain without an apparent physical cause may have a psychological origin.

A woman should always consult a health-care professional if she is experiencing new or worsening pain, bleeding, or discharge following intercourse.

Pain related to intercourse is a condition most appropriately checked by a primary health-care professional or a women's health specialist (gynecologist). Other specialists, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or a urologist, may also be consulted depending on the underlying cause.

Pain during intercourse is generally not an emergency. A woman should seek care in a hospital's emergency department if she experiences any of the following symptoms:

• New onset of pain or pain more severe than previous episodes and that lasts more than just a few minutes
• Bleeding following pain, particularly new onset or severe pain
• Nausea, vomiting, or rectal pain following intercourse
• A new discharge

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