Dyspareunia is the clinical name for painful intercourse. The pain can be felt as burning, sharp, searing or cramping. It can be external, within the vagina, or deep in the pelvic region or abdomen.

The exact incidence of dyspareunia is unknown. Masters, Johnson, and Kolodny (Little, Brown & Co., 1986) found that about 15 percent of adult women have painful intercourse on a few occasions per year. They estimate that one to two percent of adult women have painful intercourse more often than that. Spector and Carey (1990) reviewed the literature on dyspareunia and reported incidence ranging between eight percent and 23 percent across studies.

Causes of Dyspareunia Are Multiple
The causes of dyspareunia, as with most sexual dysfunction, can be classified as either organic (physical or medical factors such as illness, injury or drug effects) or psychosocial (including psychological, interpersonal, environmental and cultural factors). The cause of a sexual dysfunction in a given person may be a combination of several factors, and in some cases, the precise cause may not be identifiable at all.

Female dyspareunia can be caused by dozens of physical conditions. Any condition that results in poor vaginal lubrication can cause discomfort during intercourse. Among the more common culprits are drugs that have a drying effect (antihistamines, certain tranquilizers, marijuana) and disorders such as diabetes, vaginal infections, and estrogen deficiencies.

Other causes of female dyspareunia include:

• blisters, rashes and inflammation around the vaginal opening or the vulva
• irritation or infection of the clitoris
• disorders of the vaginal opening, such as scarring from an episiotomy, intact hymen or remnants of the hymen that are stretched during intercourse, or infection of the Bartholin's glands
• disorders of the urethra or anus
• disorders of the vagina, such as surgical scarring, thinning of vaginal walls (whether due to aging or estrogen deficiency), and irritation due to chemicals that are found in contraceptive materials or douches
• pelvic disorders such as infection, tumors, abnormalities of the cervix or uterus, and torn ligaments around the uterus

Psychosocial causes of dyspareunia may be as frequent and varied as organic ones. It is usually much more difficult to develop a clear understanding of how psychosocial factors contribute to sexual dysfunction, including dyspareunia.