Painful Intercourse

There are a number of reasons a woman might experience continued pain with intercourse during the postpartum period and beyond.  Reduced estrogen levels due to breast feeding can cause vaginal dryness and sensitivity, perineal scars from tears during delivery may not heal properly, causing pain when stretched, and pelvic floor muscles may be traumatized due to injury during delivery.  Spasm of the pelvic floor muscles initially protecting you from pain during initial attempts at intercourse may become a chronic habit, becoming a source of ongoing
pain. 

Physical therapy treatment is aimed at scar reduction, pelvic floor muscle reeducation to reduce pain and space, skin healing measures, including instructions in self massage and vaginal lubricants, and strategies for return to pain free intercourse.  The earlier the intervention, the less chance there is for more chronic conditions to develop.

 

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