Stressed and Frustrated over Painful Sex?

I have been with the same partner for about 5 years, and have been sexually active for about 3 or 4 years. Yet, for the past year or so sex has become quite uncomfortable. At first it was just a now and then thing, but lately it has been painful almost every time. My boyfriend has been very supportive, and just wants to make it better for me, and is willing to experiment and try new things to see if he can help, but I am still stressed out and worried about it. I remember a time when sex was fun and pain free and I just want that back.

I've been dealing with yeast infection issues for about 2 years now. I recently switched my bc to Yaz and have been feeling significantly better. During that time, sex would be uncomfortable on and off. Recently though, the discomfort I have been experiencing is different. It's almost as though he is hitting something, and occasionally I will experience the almost rare discomfort that I struggled with on and off when I was having yeast infection problems.

I also read that constipation can lead to uncomfortable sex...something I have also had an issue with. I have been working with the problem though and it has become better, but the discomfort is just not going away.

I have spoken to my OBGYN about the discomfort and she had just told me (a few months back) that it sounds like I'm having some mental issues? She believed that I was just assuming that it was going to be uncomfortable, since I had been having issues with the yeast infection for so long. I really don't like or want to accept her answer, it seemed like a cop-out to me...and it has just left me feeling even more alone and frustrated.

I'm not necessarily looking for medical advice here, I was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice or maybe, someone has experienced the same thing.

It just feels so hopeless and I don't know where to go from here...

If you鈥檙e experiencing pain during or after sex there may be several factors that are contributing to the pain you feel. For women there are a number of physical conditions that may make sex hurt, including:

* Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
* Endometriosis
* Ovarian cysts
* Interstitial cystitis
* Vaginismus
* Vulvodynia
* Some sexually transmitted diseases
* Urinary infections
* Yeast infections
* Vaginal dryness
* Physical injury and chronic pain

I would recommend that if you continue to experience pain during or after sex that you consult with another doctor/gynaecologist for a second opinion and further evaluation and to rule out any serious causes.

Good luck :)

Maybe if you try things slower at first and be very gentle and just try to relax it will be better.

Dyspareunia (say: "dis-par-oon-ya") is painful sexual intercourse for women. The pain can be in the genital area or deep inside the pelvis. The pain is often described as sharp, burning or similar to menstrual cramps. It can have many causes. It is important to talk to your doctor if you have this problem because there are effective treatments for many of the causes.

What are some of the causes of dyspareunia?
Any part of the genitals can cause pain during sex. Some conditions affect the skin around the vagina. The pain from these conditions is usually felt when a tampon or penis is inserted into the vagina, but pain can also occur even when sitting or wearing pants. Inflammation or infection may be the cause (such as a yeast infection, urinary tract infection or inflammation of the vagina). Injury to the vagina and the surrounding area can also cause pain. If a diaphragm or cervical cap (which are types of birth control) does not fit correctly, sex may also be painful.

Vaginismus (say: "vag-in-is-mus") is a spasm of the muscles around the vagina. In some women, the pain of the spasms is so severe that penile penetration is impossible. Vaginal dryness can also cause painful sex. This dryness may be caused by menopause and changes in estrogen levels, or from a lack of foreplay before intercourse.

Pain during intercourse may feel like it is coming from deep in the pelvis. Women often report the feeling that "something is being bumped into." The uterus may hurt if there are fibroid growths, the uterus is tilted or if the uterus prolapses (falls) into the vagina. Certain conditions or infections of the ovaries may also cause pain, especially in certain sexual positions. Past surgeries may leave scar tissue that can cause pain. Because the bladder and intestines are close to the vagina, they may also cause pain during sex. Endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease may also cause pain.

We know that the mind and the body work together. This is also seen with sexual problems. Often the problem that first caused the pain may go away, but you have learned to expect the pain. This can lead to further problems because you may be tense during sex or you may be unable to become aroused. The problem can then become a cycle and you are caught in the middle.

Negative attitudes about sex, misinformation about sex and misinformation about the functions of the woman's body are often associated with some types of pain. Is painful sex all in your head? No! But it is important to discuss feelings and difficulties with your partner and your doctor

Good luck!

hmm... im NOT trying to scare you in any way and its possible that this isnt it at all...but i think you should be aware...

my sister is only 20 years old and suffered from painful sex, constipation, and pain in her lower abdomen and her back and it turned out to be ovarian cancer. She had a tumor the size of a basketball on her right ovary. It's called a germ cell turmor and its a very rare cancer that happens to women at a young age.. usually in there late teens early 20's. Like i said before im not trying to scare you at all.. i just wanted you to know that its a possiblity and you should talk to your doctor about it...that way you can rule it out.