Female Sexual Pain

Characteristics
Female Sexual Pain (FSP) includes chronic and/or intermittent pain experienced in or around the vulva, vagina, or uterus. Common FSP problems include chronic pelvic pain, vaginismus (tightening of the vaginal muscles upon penetration), dyspareunia (pain during sex), and vulvodynia (pain in the vulva).

The pain associated with FSP is often described as a sharp pain in and around the vulva, inside the vagina, or a cramping in the muscles in the area (but different than what menstrual cramps feel like)

The majority of women will experience some form of pain during intercourse at least once in their lifetimes, often due to inadequate lubrication. The vulva is comprised of soft, delicate tissue that can become sensitive and painful during intercourse without sufficient lubrication or with intense penetration. However, if the pain persists after several days or continues to occur after several acts of intercourse, it is important to see a specialist.

Note that not all doctors will be familiar with FSP and this lack of awareness of FSPs means that they are oftentimes misdiagnosed, and thus not treated correctly. An obstetrician/gynecologist who specializes in FSP can recognize and treat this pain with medication, and may also recommend physical therapy and psychological therapy. Waiting too long for an appropriate diagnosis can make it much more difficult to detect the cause of the pain, as emotional and relationship difficulties become linked to the physical pain. So, don't “tough it out,” but get help as soon as possible.

Treatment
CBT combined with traditional medicine has a long history of success in treating other types of pain. It's also used successfully for treating FSP. People who use CBT for chronic FSP see that women with FSP treated with CBT experience great improvement or complete relief of symptoms 6 months after treatment in almost half the cases. Even better, relief from pain is maintained or even improved upon over the next two years. One study found that almost 80% of women said they were “cured” after using CBT and physical therapy.

Cbt Therapy For Pain has had great success in treatment, allowing women to get back on track and live a healthy lifestyle. Contact a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist if you are seeking Cbt Therapy For Pain, Dr S Pienaar on 083 6316 499 between 8:30-9:00 or 18:00-18:30, alternatively please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..