Did you know that30% of women experienced pain during their last sexual encounter?
But as common as it is, sexual pain doesnt get enough press.
There are millions of women suffering in silence, unaware that there are treatment options for their pain.
so that help me cover this important topic, I spoke withDr.
Sonia Bahlani, a pelvic pain specialist based out of New York City.
Dr. Bahlani says, Sexual pain is under-diagnosed because theres a stigma attached to it.
Sex is a difficult topic for most people.
They dont want to talk about it.
Additionally, women are often told that painful sex is normal.
Women are encouraged not to pursue treatment, or to even think about what theyre experiencing as a problem.
Further complicating matters is the fact that some sexual pain conditions can lessen or even disappear without treatment.
People do sometimes get better without doing anything.
Clinicians will often disregard a womans complaint because they assume she will get better on her own.
Dr. Bahlani takes a holistic approach to pelvic pain because she recognizes that pain is often multi-faceted.
Their pain doesnt come from one thing.
Its not like having a cold where I give them a single medication and theyre gonna feel better.
We often have to deal with every issue on its own.
For example, a woman might have sexual pain from interstitial cystitis.
As she continues having sex with her partner, she might start anticipating that pain.
The subsequent anxiety that she feels can contribute to her pain.
Its easier to treat interstitial cystitis by itself, without the ensuing anxiety or pelvic floor issues.
Were able to get you better.
It does take time, but theres so much hope.
There are a shockingly small number of clinicians who are trained in diagnosing and treating sexual pain.
Even OB/GYN training barely grazes the surface of sexual pain.
Dr. Bahlani says she has clients who fly to her NYC offices from all over the world.
(Shes careful to add that she cant provide a medical diagnosis over the phone.
But a telemedicine appointment can still be extremely valuable and validating.)
Now, for some great news.
I would say number one: Understand that its not your fault.
Theres nothing that you have done wrong to cause this.
She says, Were able to fix things.
Were able to get you better.
It does take time, but theres so much hope.
