women s health issues
Genito Pelvic Pain Penetration Disorder
Causes of Genito Pelvic Pain Penetration Disorder
Causes of genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder vary depending on whether the pain is superficial or deep. Vulvar pain may result from the following: Increased sensitivity of the genital area to pain (as may occur in provoked vestibulodynia) Breastfeeding, which can cause dryness of the vagina becauseestrogenlevels are low Symptoms after menopause (changes in the vagina and urinary tract that can occur at menopause) Inadequate lubrication from insufficient foreplay Inflammation or infection in the genital area (including Genital Herpes and An allergic reaction to contraceptive foams or jellies or to latex condoms Inflammation or infection of the urinary tract Injuries in the genital area A history of sexual trauma Use of antihistamines, which can cause slight, temporary dryness of the vagina Radiation therapy affecting the vagina, which can make the vagina less elastic and can cause scarring, making the area around the vagina narrower and shorter Genitourinary syndrome of menopauserefers to changes in the vagina and urinary tract that occur after menopause. Tissues of the vagina can become thin, dry, and have difficultly stretching, and lubrication for intercourse is inadequate. These changes occur becauseestrogenlevels decrease after menopause. These changes can make intercourse painful. Urinary symptoms that can occur at menopause include a compelling need to urinate (urinary urgency) and frequent urinary tract infections. Provoked vestibulodynia(pain of an area at the opening of the vagina, called the vulvar vestibule) may be present the first time something (such as a tampon, speculum, or penis) is inserted into the vagina (penetration). Or it may develop in a woman who has experienced comfortable, pain-free penetration. Vestibulodynia may result from a combination of factors, including the following: Inflammation or an immune reaction (which may result from contact with an irritating substance, a contact irritant, an infection or a medication) An increased number of nerve fibers (which is sometimes present at birth), making the area more sensitive to pain Menopause or other causes of decreased production of estrogen Problems with the pelvic floor muscles (muscles that are located in the low in the pelvis and that support organs in the pelvis, including the vagina) Provoked vestibulodynia can occur in chronic pain syndromes, including Fibromyalgia , Vaginal pain during or after sexual intercourse may result from the following: Overview of Vaginitis (Vaginal Infection or Inflammation) (bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, or trichomonal infection) Rarely, an abnormality present at birth (such as an abnormal partition within the vagina) or a hymen that interferes with entry of the penis Surgery that narrows the vagina (for example, to repair tissues torn during childbirth or to correct Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) ) Levator ani syndrome (previously called vaginismus) Myofascial pain (pain that is caused by tension and tenderness in areas of muscle called trigger points) Endometriosis None Uterine Fibroids None Growths in the pelvis (such as Introduction to Miscellaneous Gynecologic Abnormalities and Bands of scar tissue (adhesions) between organs in the pelvis, which may form after an infection, surgery, or radiation therapy for cancer in a pelvic organ (such as the bladder, uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, or ovaries) The termlevator ani syndromehas largely replaced the term vaginismus because symptoms of vaginismus typically result from levator ani muscle dysfunction. Levator ani syndrome is involuntary contraction of the levator ani, which is the main pelvic floor muscle. This disorder may result from fear that intercourse will be painful. It often begins when sexual intercourse is first attempted but may develop later after periods of stress or experiences of painful sex or trauma. If women fear sex will be painful, their pelvic muscles may automatically tighten whenever intercourse is anticipated or attempted. The hymen is a membrane that encircles or, in a very few women, covers the opening of the vagina. When women have sexual intercourse the first time, the hymen, if not previously stretched (for example, from tampon use or sexual stimulation with a finger inside the vagina), may tear, causing some pain and bleeding. A few women are born with an abnormally tight hymen. Pain deep in the abdomen during or after sexual intercourse may result from the following: Infection of the cervix, uterus, or fallopian tubes ( Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) ), which may cause collections of pus (abscesses) to form in the pelvis Myofascial pain Endometriosis None Uterine Fibroids None Growths in the pelvis (such as Introduction to Miscellaneous Gynecologic Abnormalities and Bands of scar tissue (adhesions) between organs in the pelvis, which may form after an infection, surgery, or radiation therapy for cancer in a pelvic organ (such as the bladder, uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, or ovaries) The cause of deep abdominal pain during sex is treated, if possible. This may be with antibiotics for pelvic infection or surgery for endometriosis or uterine fibroids. 