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Dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse)
Dyspareunia, a term which is used almost exclusively in women, is defined as abnormal pain during sexual intercourse
, caused by medical or psychological issues. Men can also suffer from it, as it may result
from abnormal conditions of the genitalia, dysfunctional psychophysiologic reaction to sexual union,
forcible coition, or incomplete sexual arousal.
Men can get pain before, during, and after sex, and it is very important to know exactly when and where the
pain arises. It may be in the glands of the penis
, scrotum, anus, or sometimes another area. The most common
is a headache after orgasm. It can happen during arousal, when the man has the actual erection, with ejaculation
and orgasm, or as everything returns to the non-aroused state.
Dyspareunia is not a disease. It is
considered to be primarily a physical, rather than an emotional problem until proven otherwise. In most
instances of dyspareunia, there is an original physical cause. For men, the sexual discomfort may occur
due to an irritation of the penis skin because of an allergical reaction or a rash, a tight foreskin,
a bowed erection, infections of the prostate gland, bladder, seminal vesicles or testicles. The pain may appear
in the genitals, the pelvic legion or the lower back immediately after ejaculation. It may lead to intense
burning or itching sensations.
Men who suffer from interstitial cystitis, gonorrheal infections, urethritis or prostatitis may experience
intense pain, burning or sharp penile pains during ejaculation, and genital stimulation may be painful
or uncomfortable. Due to the painful retraction of a too-tight foreskin, occurring either during the
first attempt at intercourse or subsequent to tightening or scarring following inflammation or local
infection, painful intercourse may occur. During vigorous intercourse or masturbation
, small tears may
occur in the frenum of the foreskin and can be very painful.
Non-medical causes of painful sex are sexual abuse, fear of sex or repressed anxiety. In some cases no
cause can be found. Also, guilt about sexual pleasure or about the nature of the erotic fantasies can
lead to pain with orgasm. In other cases, men with liberal sexual attitudes might feel general resentment,
or be angry at their current sexual partners for unconscious or conscious reasons.
Can dyspareunia be treated? Fortunately, yes. In the case of infections leading to sexual discomfort,
medications are prescribed. Men could also suffer from latex allergies, therefore alternative methods
of contraceptions have to be taken into consideration. In the case spermicid is used, and it is causing
discomfort, men should change brands or consider trying other birth control
methods. Water-based
lubrificants also help ease friction, but oil-based ones should be avoided because they dissolve
the latex in condoms and may provoke infections.
Psychological counseling may be advised if no underlying physical abnormalities can be identified
. A combination of medication and sex therapy is often the right solution for men having painful sex.
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