UK survey finds around 1 in 13 women report pain during sex

Conclusion Overall, the findings of this study indicate painful sex is experienced by around 1 in 13 sexually active women in the UK. The findings also indicate there are a large number of factors, including relationships, health and attitudes toward sex, associated with painful sex. The large number of women included in the study, and the adjustments made by researchers, mean the findings are broadly representative of the UK population aged between 16 and 74. However, this study has a number of limitations: The survey cannot prove painful sex was caused by the factors investigated, only that there was an association. It may be that the reverse is true in some cases – for example, painful sex causes anxiety or a lack of enjoyment during sex. The data was self-reported and therefore may be subject to bias – for example, some women may not want to report pain during sex even if they do experience it, so the true prevalence is difficult to tell. Still, this could mean dyspareunia is actually more of a problem than reported in the study. If you're experiencing pain during sex, it's best to get medical advice. It could be the sign of a physical problem that needs medical treatment, or a psychological issue that could benefit from counselling. A good first step would be to make an appointment with your GP or local sexual health clinic. Find out more about sexual health support services in your area. Links To The Headlines Sex is painful for nearly one in 10 women, s...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Lifestyle/exercise Mental health Source Type: news