What is the medical term for pain during sex?

Dyspareunia is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Entry pain may feel like burning, stinging, tearing, or tightness around the vulva or vaginal opening. Deeper pain may feel like aching or pressure in the pelvis and can vary with position or depth. Dryness, irritation, pelvic-floor muscle tension, infection, skin conditions, hormonal changes, and previous pain can contribute.

Conditions including vulvodynia, lichen sclerosus, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, ovarian endometrioma, and genitourinary syndrome of menopause may be considered when their other features fit. Pain during sex does not by itself identify any one condition.

Pause or change sexual activity when pain starts; continuing through pain can increase muscle guarding. Tell a clinician whether pain is at entry or deep, when it began, whether it occurs with tampons or examinations, and whether there is discharge, bleeding, urinary change, bowel pain, or cycle-related worsening. Lubrication, slower pacing, communication, and pelvic-floor therapy may help while the cause is assessed.

Arrange an appointment for persistent, recurring, or worsening pain, especially with bleeding, unusual discharge, fever, urinary symptoms, missed periods, or pelvic pain outside sex. Seek urgent care for sudden severe pelvic pain, fainting, heavy bleeding, fever with severe pain, or possible pregnancy with pain or bleeding. A clinician may examine the vulva, vagina, and pelvis and offer tests suited to your symptoms.

Ask what pattern your symptoms suggest, whether infection or skin changes need testing, and how pelvic-floor muscles may be involved. Ask about non-surgical options first, when referral is useful, and whether laparoscopic excision of endometriosis is relevant only if endometriosis is confirmed or strongly suspected.