Dyspareunia: a complex problem requiring a selective approach
Mohammad Sami Walid A and Richard L. Heaton B CA Medical Center of Central Georgia, 840 Pine Street, Suite 880, Macon, GA 31201, USA.
B Heart of Georgia Women’s Center, 209 Green Street, Warner Robins, GA 31099, USA.
C Corresponding author. Email: riclheaton@yahoo.com
Sexual Health 6(3) 250-253 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH09033
Submitted: 19 March 2009 Accepted: 12 June 2009 Published: 3 August 2009
Abstract
Dyspareunia frequently has a multifactorial aetiology. The problem with the term is that it is not specific enough and does not allow for proper discussion of the very important problem of pain with sexual intercourse, a problem that can be very disturbing to a couple’s relationship. We present two cases of patients who had multiple potential anatomic reasons for dyspareunia. The clinical picture, treatment strategy and the complex nature of deep penetration pain was discussed. We also proposed a new way of defining dyspareunia to allow a more adequate way of studying and discussing the problem.
Additional keywords: adhesions, deep penetration, retroversion, scarring, sigmoid, vesicouterine reflection.
[1] Paavonen J. Vulvodynia – a complex syndrome of vulvar pain. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1995; 74 243–7.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | PubMed |
[2] Walton B, Thorton T. Female sexual dysfunction. Curr Womens Health Rep 2003; 3 319–26.
| PubMed |
[3] Morris H. Surgical pathology of the lower uterine segment Caesarean section scar: is the scar a source of clinical symptoms? Int J Gynecol Pathol 1995; 14 16–20.
| CAS | PubMed |
[4] Fauconnier A, Dubuisson JB, Foulot H, Deyrolles C, Sarrot F, Laveyssière MN, et al. Mobile uterine retroversion is associated with dyspareunia and dysmenorrhea in an unselected population of women. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2006; 127 252–6.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
[5] Whitmore K, Siegel JF, Kellogg-Spadt S. Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome as a cause of sexual pain in women: a diagnosis to consider. J Sex Med 2007; 4 720–7.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
[6] Fauconnier A, Fritel X, Chapron C. Endometriosis and pelvic pain: epidemiological evidence of the relationship and implications. Gynecol Obstet Fertil 2009; 37 57–69.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | PubMed |
