Sexual pain has many varying diagnosis but mostly tends to be a combination of pelvic floor tightness, hypersensitivity, muscle guarding and sometimes hormonal tissue changes. The psychological and emotional challenges that come with having sexual difficulties are important to acknowledge. Additionally, many people with these issues have a history of sexual trauma, or traumatic experiences with medical appointments or sex due to the pain itself. We know it’s a vulnerable issue and our priority is to ensure that you are always in control and feeling safe. We need to know you, know your story, and understand your concerns and limits. This is because we know that if we’re asking your body to trust us and relax, it (you!) has to feel safe to do so.

Painful sex can often be diagnosed as the following

• VULVODYNIA
• VAGINISMUS
• VESTIBULODYNIA
• EJACULATION PAIN

However you don’t need a diagnosis for us to treat you, we treat all sexual pain however it presents.

There is no recipe for treating sexual pain, we forge the path together. However, treatment will likely include:

• Pain education and management strategies
• Establishing boundaries for within the clinic and at home
• Strategies for current sexual activity
• Stress and anxiety management if needed
• A top to toe exam to diagnose anything else in your body that may be contributing to the issue
• Possible work with vaginal dilators
• Possible internal pelvic work to help give feedback or release pelvic floor muscles

We also often work in conjunction with counselors / sex therapists to give you coordinated, holistic care for every aspect of your struggle.