Dyspareunia is a medical condition wherein there is intermittent or continuous occurrence of pain during sexual activity. Dyspareunia in menopause is a health issue that affects women. According to the latest stats, 20-45% of postmenopausal women suffer from this condition in the country.

General symptoms include burning pain, deep pain during thrusting and throbbing pain, which lasts hours after intercourse. If this medical condition is not treated, it can cause inflammation and slashing of vaginal tissues. Consult a doctor if you feel you are suffering from this medical condition as there is treatment available.

Postmenopausal women are affected by varied medical conditions, and dyspareunia can be one of them. There are many reasons due to which this condition occurs. Some of the commonly known and medically proven reasons that cause dyspareunia during menopause can include the following:

1. Estrogen level drop
As women reach menopause, estrogen levels drop, which results in dryness of the vaginal tissues along with thinning. This results in dyspareunia. This is the most common cause of dyspareunia in menopause.

2. Surgeries
Certain surgeries such as hysterectomy in postmenopausal women can lead to dyspareunia.

3. Emotional factors
Certain emotional factors can be the reason for dyspareunia. Some of these emotional factors may include stress, anxiety, and depression, which can cause an occurrence of this medical condition.

4. Sickness and ailments
Certain diseases and disorders can cause dyspareunia in menopause to occur. A few of the common ailments that lead to this condition are uterine prolapse, irritable bowel syndrome, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, etc.

5. Cancer
Another cause of dyspareunia in menopause is cancer. Women affected by cancer and undergoing treatment such as radiation and chemotherapy are prone to this condition.

6. Vaginismus
Vaginismus occurs when involuntary spasms of the muscles of the vaginal wall occur. If a postmenopausal woman is suffering from it, then this can also be a reason for dyspareunia.

The doctor shall determine the exact cause of the condition occurring. If the causes are related to some history of sexual abuse, there are counseling therapies for that too. Apart from the above-mentioned causes, dyspareunia in menopause can also be due to any injury that has transpired during childbirth too. Doctors will determine the cause of this diagnosis. If it is due to a lack of estrogen, estrogen therapy shall be advised to the patient. It is best to consult a physician to overcome the effects of dyspareunia in postmenopausal women. The doctor will then prescribe the best treatment for the condition.