Painful symptoms of dyspareunia will improve with commercially available lubricants or with estrogen cream.1
Patients with dyspareunia undergo psychological and emotional consequences and these individuals cope up with the situation through counseling.2
Natural oils such as petroleum jelly, baby oil, and olive oil can remove the vaginal dryness and help alleviate symptoms.3,4
Dyspareunia is defined as persistent genital pain that negatively impacts the quality of life. A characteristic of this condition is that the pain interferes considerably with penetrative sexual activities. It has a major impact on the overall woman’s health and her relationship with her romantic partner.
Women with dyspareunia often report psychological distress, sexual problem, and difficulties in relations that impact their life. Several studies show that this condition has a deleterious effect on the male partner.
Coping Methods For Dyspareunia
A medical evaluation for dyspareunia often comprises a thorough medical history of the patients. Although it can be an embarrassing moment for the patients yet the more truthful you are, the more your doctors provide effective treatment to ease your problem. Based on the study, your healthcare provider may suggest a pelvic exam during which the symptoms (skin infection, irritation, and anatomical problems) are examined to locate the pain.
Some patients may feel the pelvic examination to be more painful and don’t co-operate fully. The treatment typically varies depending on the pain location and the symptoms. Painful symptoms of dyspareunia will improve with commercially available lubricants or with estrogen cream.
Since this is a painful condition, you and your sexual partner may find other ways to be intimate that include erotic massage, kissing, and non-penetrative sex. These alternatives provide pleasure and found to be more full filling in these patients.1
A study was conducted to determine the coping mechanism in women who experienced features of pain in the pelvic or lower abdomen during sexual intercourse. The average age of these participants was 25 -40 years and most of them were experiencing nabbing pain for almost 2 years. Some of the common coping strategies used by these women were the usage of pain killers, adequate sleep and rest, hot bath, and massage to counteract pain. However, a small proportion of women used other techniques by involving themselves in religious activities or distracting themselves trying to ignore pain. The study revealed the number of pain killers increases with the increase in pain levels among these patients.2
Home Remedies For Dyspareunia
Dyspareunia responds well to relatively simple therapies. There is plenty of natural and home-based therapy that can help ease pain and bring back your comfort levels to have pleasure during sexual intercourse. This includes
Herbs And Supplements- Natural oils such as petroleum jelly, baby oil, and olive oil can remove the vaginal dryness and help alleviate symptoms. Study shows sea buckthorn oil provides an alternative to conventional therapies. Also, vitamin supplements rich in omega 3 fatty acids aids to improve lubrication.
Diet – A diet rich in fatty acids may help in boosting enhanced vaginal lubrication in dyspareunia patients. This includes plant estrogens, or phytoestrogens, pumpkin, flax seeds, especially oily fishes such as tuna, salmon, and mackerel.
Exercise- Physical exercises and workouts are often helpful in strengthening pelvic outlet and relax stressed spam muscles. Exercises can have sex less painful and lead to an improvement in those areas.3, 4
- “Painful Intercourse (Dyspareunia).” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 7 Feb. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/painful-intercourse/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375973#:~:text=Often%2C%20this%20can%20be%20treated,have%20problems%20with%20vaginal%20lubrication.
- Additional informationFundingWe acknowledge the funding provided in part by grant # [1R01-HD050559] to IF from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute for Child Health and Human Development. “Impact of Coping Strategies on Quality of Life of Adolescents and Young Women with Endometriosis.” Taylor & Francis, www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0167482X.2018.1450384.
- “Vaginal Atrophy: Natural Remedies, Causes, and Treatments.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315089.
- Marcin, Ashley. “Vaginal Atrophy: Natural Treatments and More.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 14 May 2025, www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/vaginal-atrophy-natural-treatments.
Also Read:
- Dyspareunia: What Causes Pain During Sex & its Treatment!
- How Common Is Dyspareunia Or Is It A Rare Disease?
- How Long Will It Take To Recover From Dyspareunia & How Long Does The Symptoms Last?
- Is Dyspareunia A Progressive Disease & Alternative Treatments For It?
- What Are The First Symptoms Of Dyspareunia & How Do You Test For It?
- What Is The Best Treatment For Dyspareunia & Is There A Surgery For It?
- What Is The Prognosis For Dyspareunia & Lifestyle Changes For It?
