There is No Such Thing as TMI: Talking Dyspareunia Treatment with a PT
By Dr. Margaret Archer, PT, DPT | Guest Contributor for Connections Family Center
Conversations about intimacy and sexual health are important year-round, but they can feel especially relevant during seasons of change and reflection – such as during the transition from spring to summer or during personal life transitions. As routines shift and we focus on personal well-being, it’s an ideal time to check in with our bodies and relationships, especially if painful intimacy solutions – or dyspareunia treatment – might offer an improved quality of life and pleasure.
Painful sex, medically known as dyspareunia, affects up to 20% of women in the U.S. and can profoundly impact emotional well-being, relationships, and quality of life.
At Connections Family Center, we believe in removing shame from the conversation. There is no such thing as “too much information” when it comes to your body and your health. Understanding and addressing dyspareunia is a critical step toward healing, connection, and reclaiming pleasure.
Understanding What Dyspareunia Is
Dyspareunia refers to persistent or recurrent pain during or after sexual activity. Though more common in menopausal and post-menopausal women, it can affect individuals at any life stage. Pain may present in various ways, with touch, penetration, orgasm, or even afterward.
The female sexual response cycle is a beautiful and intricate interplay of psychological and physiological processes. During intimacy, pelvic floor muscles must both relax to allow for penetration and contract to enhance pleasure during stimulation and orgasm. Disruptions in this process, whether due to muscle tension, hormonal changes, trauma, or emotional distress, can contribute to pain.
Beyond the Physical: A Whole-Person Approach to Dyspareunia Treatment
Intimacy is about more than intercourse. Emotional safety, communication, body image, stress, and past trauma all play roles in how we experience sex. Dyspareunia is rarely caused by a single factor. That’s why treating dyspareunia often requires a collaborative, inter-disciplinary team including medical providers, mental health providers and pelvic floor therapists.
- Medical providers can diagnose and manage contributing conditions like infections, inflammation, or hormonal imbalances.
- Mental health providers support emotional and relational well-being by addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, and stressors that affect intimacy. Explore our therapy services.
- Pelvic floor physical therapists can assist with performing a comprehensive assessment of the pelvic floor and surrounding areas, provide education & treatments targeted at an individual’s specific needs to address their pain and strategies to maximize sexual enjoyment. This may include assessment and treatment of areas of tension, addressing scars, down-regulation of the nervous system and strengthening of the pelvic floor and surrounding musculature to resolve pain.
You Are Not Alone & Treatment is Available
At Connections Family Center, we recognize how isolating and confusing sexual pain can feel. But dyspareunia is not something you have to live with. With the right support team, healing and enjoyable intimacy are possible.
If you’re experiencing pain with sex, we encourage you to speak openly with a trusted provider. Early intervention can help you reclaim your confidence and comfort. You are worthy of intimacy that is safe, consensual, and pleasurable.
Dr. Margaret graduated from Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC in 2013 and has been practicing physical therapy in the Houston area since. She worked in neurologic rehabilitation for 8 years and became passionate about the pelvic PT prior to and during her pregnancy and postpartum period.
In her free time, Dr. Margaret enjoys time spent with her husband, son and dog. She loves to travel and is always up for a hike in the woods or exploring a reef while scuba diving. She loves to exercise and enjoys fitness classes! She is very active in her church and with her husband, enjoys hosting people in their home!
Arrow Physio Approach
Arrow Physio provides concierge pelvic floor physical therapy services in the Greater Houston area. Dr. Margaret knows as a working mom that services and prioritizing time to do so is challenging. Because of that, she does home visits and virtual visits! She treats a wide range of conditions from pelvic/hip/back pain, pain with intercourse, bladder/bowel dysfunction, core weakness and helping support women through pregnancy and postpartum.
Dr. Margaret believes that physical therapy is not just about treating injuries, but about helping her clients take control of their own health and well-being. She prioritizes education and takes fitness forward in her treatment to help her clients achieve long-term results. She wants to partner with you to reach your goals and help you be unstoppable.
You can reach Dr. Margaret at margaret@arrow-physio.com
Additional article source: Hill DA, Taylor CA. Dyspareunia in Women. Am Fam Physician. 2021 May 15;103(10):597-604. PMID: 33983001.
Where to go from here. If this sounds familiar, take a look at therapy for adults, couples, and families. Or skip the reading and book a free 15-minute call; we will help you figure out the right next step.
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