Painful Sex & Pelvic Floor PT
Nothing is ever TMI in pelvic floor physical therapy - we regularly discuss sexual function in our visits. Many people with vaginas experience pain during intercourse, but just because it’s common does not make it normal. At Foundations Pelvic Health we can help you achieve your goal of having a pleasurable, pain-free sex life. It’s what everyone deserves!
Painful sex can be categorized as a few different diagnoses:
Vaginismus - the involuntary contraction or spasm of the pelvic floor that does not allow for vaginal penetration
Vulvodynia - pain at the vulva
Dyspareunia - pain during or after intercourse
How do our pelvic floor physical therapists help with painful sex?
Our pelvic floor is a network of muscles and everything’s connected. So chances are, if you’re coming to our clinic for urinary or bowel issues, your difficulties with intercourse or sexual activity could be related - and vice versa.
One of our pelvic floor PTs explaining about vaginal dilators, vaginal wands and lubricants. These tools may be part of your pelvic floor PT treatment plan.
Our clinic, Foundations Pelvic Health, is a safe space with a calming environment and pelvic floor physical therapists who respect the sensitivity of this topic.
During your initial visit we’ll discuss your urinary, bowel, and sexual function. We can chat about what type of sex you’re participating in or restricted in, where and when during sexual activity you may be experiencing pain, arousal levels, and lubrication.
We can also assess the pelvic floor through an internal vaginal assessment (only if you’re comfortable) to look for any pelvic floor muscle tightness, difficulty with coordinating relaxation of the pelvic floor, and any symptoms such as tenderness, pressure, stinging, or burning.
Your pelvic floor PT will then discuss what types of treatment you may benefit from. We may recommend pelvic floor muscle release to decrease muscle tightness and tenderness/pain, pelvic floor relaxation training, hip mobility exercises, and/or mindfulness practices.
Your pelvic floor therapist may also introduce or recommend use of a pelvic wand or vaginal dilator training at home to improve the effects of physical therapy, as well as provide education on recommended lubricants, sex positions, or products to assist in returning to sexual activity/intercourse pain-free.
You may benefit from pelvic floor PT if you are experiencing the following:
Pain with becoming sexually active for the first time
New onset of pain with penetration at anytime or with hormonal changes associated with postpartum or menopause
Difficulty returning to sexual activity postpartum, potentially due to scar tissue from tearing or episiotomy
Muscle guarding or anxiety in anticipation of penetration
Decreased arousal or difficulty reaching orgasm
Post-operative pain after gynecological surgery