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Dyspareunia is the medical term for pain with intercourse, and is experienced by most women at some point in their lives. This can occur due to a range of reasons including dryness with menopause, a tight pelvic floor, episiotomy scarring, connective tissue dysfunction, pudendal neuralgia, or psychological reasons. If you experience pain with intercourse, your symptoms may include any of the following:
- Pain only at sexual entry (penetration)
- Pain with every penetration, including putting in a tampon
- Deep pain during thrusting
- Burning pain or aching pain
- Throbbing pain, lasting hours after intercourse
How Can Pelvic Physiotherapy Help?
Pelvic Physiotherapy is practiced by physiotherapists specially trained in addressing pelvic issues experienced by women, men and children. We take advanced training to allow an internal exam to be performed when necessary to assess pelvic floor muscle tone and strength. The pelvic floor are a bowl of muscles at the base of the pelvis that hold up our pelvic organs, and help to keep us continent. When it comes to pain, often the pelvic floor is holding too much tension (hypertonicity). Specific streteches and techniques to help relax and release these muscles usually helps manage pain with penetration. When it comes to dyspareunia, a pelvic physio will look at any contributing factors related to your pain, and can help you learn evidence-based management skills that help address these issues.
Jill Mueller, BHScPT, BKin Registered Physiotherapist (Pelvic Health)
For more information about me, or how Pelvic Physiotherapy can help you, contact me at www.hbpw.ca or 905-469-2973
About the Author:
Jill Mueller is co-owner and Pelvic Physiotherapist at Healthy Balance Physiotherapy and Wellness. Her interest in Pelvic Health Therapy stems from experiencing her own journey with fertility issues for 10 years. She has a passion for educating the public about Pelivc Health, and her goal is to provide therapy and support for thise suffering from many types of pelvic dysfunctions.
Jill graduated from McMaster University with degrees in Physiotherapy and Kinesiology and is committed to lifelong learning as evidenced through her array of clinical certifications in orthopaedics, visceral techniques and Pelvic Health.She enjoys sharing her knowledge as a lab assitant and mentor with Pelvic Health Solutions and the Barral Institute for Visceral Therapy.
