Common Causes of Dyspareunia

• Chronic Yeast Infections

Millions of women can’t enjoy sex due to yeast infections that just won’t go away. Women who are put on a round of antibiotics for an infection may get one due to low gut bacteria. However, vaginal yeast infections can become chronic, overloading the gut, and even getting into the bloodstream. Over-the-counter creams only stop the symptoms temporarily. They always come back unless you get to the source of the problem.

• Bacterial Vaginosis

Though bacterial vaginosis can be transmitted sexually, it is not classified as a sexually transmitted disease. Many women develop bacterial vaginosis as a result of a bacterial imbalance in their vagina. This can lead to heavy discharge, odor, swelling, and discomfort. Douching and using scented feminine hygiene products can increase the risk for developing chronic BV.

• Hormonal Changes

Women who use birth control pills or who are going through menopause may experience painful sex due to vaginal dryness. Fluctuating hormones could also lead to fluctuating pH levels and increased incidents of vaginal infections.

• Tipped Uterus

Many women who experience dyspareunia have a tipped uterus and are unaware of it. In a woman with a tipped uterus, the back of the uterus is tilted toward the back instead of the abdomen. Oftentimes, this can lead to painful sex during deep penetration.

• Fear & Anxiety

When sex hurts, fear and anxiety sets in. You may not even be aware of how tense your muscles become when talk of physical intimacy comes up. This anxiety makes pain worse and sex difficult or impossible.

Treating Painful Sex Naturally

Creams, pills, and antidepressants do not address the underlying causes of most incidents of dyspareunia. To treat painful sex naturally, you have to get to the source of the problem.

• Clean Up Your Diet

You may think that your diet has nothing to do with the problems you’re having in the bedroom but it does. A diet filled with refined flour, sugar, processed meats, cheeses, microwave food, and canned food increases your risk of developing chronic health problems. These foods do little to nourish your body and only increase your chances of developing bacterial infections in your vagina.

You can heal the causes of painful sex from the inside out by eating plenty of fresh organic produce, beans, seeds, legumes, organic meat, poultry, and fish, and healthy fats. Organic yogurt, raw apple cider vinegar, and raw honey are all good foods for women with chronic vaginal infections as they are filled with good, nourishing bacteria.

• Change Your Feminine Products

Feminine products are a common cause of sexual pain in women. That’s because the tampons, pads, and feminine washes you use are filled with synthetic chemicals that change your delicate pH balance and cause bacteria to overgrow. Switch to natural feminine products for that time of the month and get rid of the rest. You don’t need douches, feminine washes or sprays to keep yourself clean. They only increase your chances of developing chronic infections.

• Treat Vaginal Infections Naturally

If vaginal yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis are making sex painful for you, you have alternatives besides the cream you’ve always used to cover up the symptoms. Try bathing in a shallow bath of warm water and a couple of cups of raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar. Immerse yourself in the water and bathe for twenty minutes. You can also use a combination of raw ACV and warm water as a douche to increase your healthy flora and keep your intimate areas clean.

For yeast infections that won’t go away, there are a few natural remedies you can try. One of them is the Greek yogurt remedy. Get plain organic Greek yogurt and dip an organic unbleached tampon into it. Insert it into your vagina and leave in overnight. Take it out in the morning. Alternatively, you can use an organic garlic clove. Peel one organic garlic clove and insert it into your vagina. Leave it in overnight and remove it in the morning.

• Do Kegel Exercises

Women with vulvodynia (unexplained sexual pain) often benefit from doing Kegel or pelvic floor exercises. Pelvic floor exercises strengthen and tone your vaginal muscles so sex is more comfortable. You can do Kegel exercises sitting, standing or laying down. Pull your pelvic floor muscles upward as though you’re trying to stop the flow of urine. Hold for ten seconds, then release. Do this 5 times, 3 times per day.

Dyspareunia doesn’t have to rule your life. End painful sex now by following these natural tips and a satisfying love life can be yours once more.

• Switch positions. If you experience sharp pain during thrusting, the penis may be striking your cervix or stressing the pelvic floor muscles, causing aching or cramping pain. Changing positions may help. You can try being on top of your partner during sex. Women usually have more control in this position, so you may be able to regulate penetration to a depth that feels good to you.
• Communicate. Talk about what feels good and what doesn’t. If you need your partner to go slow, say so.
• Don’t rush. Longer foreplay can help stimulate your natural lubrication. And you may reduce pain by delaying penetration until you feel fully aroused.
• Use lubricants. A personal lubricant can make sex more comfortable. Read labels carefully or ask your doctor to recommend a product to try; for some women, personal lubricants that contain glycerin can promote yeast infections.