April 19th, 2017
Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissues lining the endometrium (uterus) begin growing on the outer side of uterine cavity. The intensity of pain depends upon the location of endometriosis lesions and not the size. Majority of the women with endometriosis suffer from excruciating pain while having sexual intercourse.
A recent study from Italy revealed that half of all the women with endometriosis go through severe pain during intercourse and feel helpless and unable to converse about it with their partners, making matters even worse.
Painful sex is the first pointer of endometriosis that most women try to ignore. It is normal to feel embarrassed while discussing the problem with the doctor but leaving the issue unattended only prolongs the suffering due to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
If the endometriosis lesions are located at the lower side of uterus or behind the vagina and are adversely affecting the ligaments and nerves of uterus then the pain will be of high intensity because thrusting during sex increases the pressure.
The pain intensity ranges from less to intolerable and it may be deep, stabbing, sharp or even widespread. Any sort of penetration may fuel the intensity of pain and it may either last till the intercourse or it might take a couple of days to disappear.
An ob-gynecologist and fertility expert, John C. Petrozza, suggests that women with endometriosis often cringe with pain by even thinking about intercourse. Anticipating about pain makes a woman anxious, agitated and agonized making her even more tensed and this further contributes to the painful sex. Slightest penetration can become an utter horror show and so eventually women begin to avoid sex.
Having endometriosis should not be a no-go for sex. Therefore, there are some approaches to tackle the situation and to bring sexual life back in swing.
The first and foremost thing to do is to discuss it all with the sex partner. That will not only lift some major weight off the chest but it will also help in overcoming the fear of painful sex. Given below are 3 strategies that can help:
In case the above strategies become fruitless then seeking medical assistance should be the next approach. A doctor may recommend some hormone therapies or the use of certain birth control pills to minimize the size of the lesions. Studies have revealed that in some cases, surgery has been beneficial in removing the endometriosis lesions and alleviating the pain during sexual intercourse.
It is important that this problem is addressed at the right time before it causes more damage than can be undone.
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