Causes of painful intercourse

Dyspareunia (painful intercourse) refers to pain in the pelvic area during or after intercourse, and can occur in both women and men. Besides possible physical causes, pain may occur in association with psychological factors such as previous sexual trauma.
Review Date: 10/28/2008
Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer,
Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant
Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Susan
Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond,
Washington ; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics
and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also
reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.











