Painful intercourse

Resolved question:
For about a month now I have been experiencing painful intercourse. In the beginning having sex once a night was fine but if me and my partner were to have sex more than once in the same night it would be too painful to continue. We would take breaks (4-5 days) without sex and recently I spoke to a doctor who suggested using a lubricant which helped to some extent but there was still a sharp painful stabbing on the left side of the vagina. Yesterday while cleaning myself after using the restroom I experienced the same stabbing sharp pain towards the outside of the vaginal opening to the left of the urethra. I feel a dull ache every now and then and a sharp pain if I touch it. I have looked and did not see any lumps or bumps or anything that seems too unusual. Any ideas on what this could be?

Submitted: 4 Days
Category: Family Physician-GP

Expert:  Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy replied 4 Days.

Hello,

Thank you for choosing DoctorSpring.

There are a number of reasons that could cause pain during sexual intercourse.

I would like to know some additional information from you so that I can provide my best and learned opinion.

1. Are you at risk for STD ? Any history of unprotected sexual exposure with multiple partners ?
2. Do you have pain while passing urine ?
3. Do you everg get pain the lower abdomen ?
4. Ever had any discharge from vagina ?
5. Are your periods regular ?

You can reply as a followup
Thank you

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Patient replied :

I just had a pap on January 10 and everything came back normal as far as an std. One concern was that I was experiencing symptoms of a UTI and was prescribed antibiotics. There is no discharge but just the last day or so I have been feeling like I have cramps. Periods have been normal for the most part. I just started a new birth control method, the depo shot. I was taking a second look down there and noticed what could possible be a small tear near the entrance and that is where it seems to be most sensitive? Is this likely? And if so what can I do to fix it?


Expert:  Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy replied 3 Days.

Hello,
Thank you for the additional information.

The most likely cause for the pain during sex in your case is most likely from an abrasion (minor wound ) in the vestibule. Other possibilities are a fungal infection (possibly candida) or a lichen planus or bacterial vaginosis. Since the symptoms are persisting for 1 month you will need to undergo a vagial examination with measurement of vaginal pH. This will help in isolating the diagnosis and to choose a definitive treatment.

The cramps at this stage seems unrelated to the pain in vagina. If the cramps persists endometriosis should be ruled out.

Meanwhile I would recommend theses measures - Try to avoid insertive vaginal sex for 1 week. After that use a lubricant without a additive (plain ones - based on petroleum jelly ). If there are condoms, use the one you have been comfortable with. Avoid douching / frequent washing with antiseptic lotions. If this is a simple abrasion this alone should heal it. If not you definitely has to udergo further testing.

Hope this helps
Feel free to ask followups
Thank you

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