Dyspareunia, or painful sexual intercourse, is a common symptom among women.
Epidemiology
The prevalence of dyspareunia varies widely depending on the population being sampled and how it is defined. Retrospective studies have cited a range from 1.5% to 70%.[1]Jamieson DJ, Steege JF. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, pelvic pain, and irritable bowel syndrome in primary care practices. Obstet Gynecol. 1996;87:55-58.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8532266?tool=bestpractice.com
[2]Glatt AE, Zinner SH, McCormack WM. The prevalence of dyspareunia. Obstet Gynecol. 1990;75:433-436.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2304713?tool=bestpractice.com
[3]Sobhgol SS, Alizadeli Charndabee SM. Rate and related factors of dyspareunia in reproductive age women: a cross-sectional study. Int J Imp Res. 2007;19:88-94.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16791280?tool=bestpractice.com
[4]Danielsson I, Sjoberg I, Stenlund H, et al. Prevalence and incidence of prolonged and severe dyspareunia in women: results from a population study. Scand J Public Health. 2003;31:113-118.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12745761?tool=bestpractice.com
[5]Frank RT. Dyspareunia: a problem for the general practitioner. JAMA. 1948;136:361.[6]Hansen A, Carr K, Jensen JT. Characteristics and initial diagnoses in women presenting to a referral center for vulvovaginal disorders in 1996-2000. J Reprod Med. 2002;47:854-860.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12418071?tool=bestpractice.com
A survey of women at primary care clinics reported that 46% of women had experienced painful intercourse,[1]Jamieson DJ, Steege JF. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, pelvic pain, and irritable bowel syndrome in primary care practices. Obstet Gynecol. 1996;87:55-58.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8532266?tool=bestpractice.com
whereas another survey of university alumni who had participated in a sexually transmitted infection study during college found a lifetime prevalence of 61%.[2]Glatt AE, Zinner SH, McCormack WM. The prevalence of dyspareunia. Obstet Gynecol. 1990;75:433-436.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2304713?tool=bestpractice.com
Classification
Dyspareunia can be categorized as primary or secondary; as well as superficial or deep.[7]MacNeill C. Dyspareunia. Obstet Gynecol Clin N Am. 2006;33:565-577.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17116501?tool=bestpractice.com
Primary dyspareunia is characterized by pain associated with intercourse since the onset of sexual activity.
Secondary dyspareunia is acquired over a patient's sexual lifetime.
Painful intercourse that is localized to the introital area is characteristic of superficial dyspareunia, due to disorders of the vulva and vestibule.
Deep symptoms are often related to disorders in the pelvis.
Dyspareunia and vaginismus have been grouped as genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder in DSM-5. This is categorized as persistent or recurrent difficulty in vaginal penetration, marked pelvic or vulvovaginal pain during or while attempting penetration, fear or anxiety about pain before, during, or after penetration, and tightening or tensing of the pelvic floor muscles when penetration is attempted.[8]IsHak WW, Tobia G. DSM-5 Changes in Diagnostic Criteria of Sexual Dysfunctions. Reprod Sys Sexual Disorders 2013;2:122. doi:10.4172/2161-038X.1000122
