What is Female Sexual Pain?

If you experience painful vaginal penetration, whether it is from sexual intercourse, pap smears or tampons, then you may have Genito-Pelvic Pain Disorder (GPPD), Vaginismus, Provoked Vulvodynia or Vestibulodynia. Women often describe the pain as a burning, stabbing, blocked or tightness sensation.

The pain may be present with the initial penetration, or it may only occur with deeper penetration. A lot of the time, it is caused by tension in the pelvic floor muscles, or as the result of skin sensitivity. If you are anticipating pain, then the vaginal muscles will tighten protectively and this can make everything more intense. This can easily cause a cycle of pain: