When I talk about avoiding pain during penetrative sex, I tend to give a lot of the same advice.
When I talk about avoiding pain during penetrative sex, I tend to give a lot of the same advice.

Go slowly. Use lube. Make sure you’re completely comfortable and aroused. Try being on top
Go slowly. Use lube. Make sure you’re completely comfortable and aroused. Try being on top

so that you can control the speed and depth of penetration. But I also want to acknowledge that
so that you can control the speed and depth of penetration. But I also want to acknowledge that

that advice does not work for everyone. Unfortunately for some people, they could be
that advice does not work for everyone. Unfortunately for some people, they could be

doing everything “right,” but no amount of lube or position changes is going to make
doing everything “right,” but no amount of lube or position changes is going to make

sex not painful for them. In those situations there’s often medical issues at play, so
sex not painful for them. In those situations there’s often medical issues at play, so

today I want to talk about some of the most common ones.
today I want to talk about some of the most common ones.

Vulvodynia is the term for a
Vulvodynia is the term for a

whole host of conditions that fall under the umbrella of chronic pain of the vulva. The
whole host of conditions that fall under the umbrella of chronic pain of the vulva. The

most common subset of vulvodynia is vulvar vestibulitis (also known as vestibulodynia).
most common subset of vulvodynia is vulvar vestibulitis (also known as vestibulodynia).

This involves a localized burning, sharp, or stinging pain at and around the entrance
This involves a localized burning, sharp, or stinging pain at and around the entrance

to the vagina. In many cases it is a provoked pain from attempted penetration or any sort
to the vagina. In many cases it is a provoked pain from attempted penetration or any sort

of pressure to the area, but it can also just be a constant, generalized pain with no obvious
of pressure to the area, but it can also just be a constant, generalized pain with no obvious

provocation. Vulvodynia is often treated with antidepressant and anticonvulsant medications
provocation. Vulvodynia is often treated with antidepressant and anticonvulsant medications

as well as topical anesthetics and/or estrogen creams. As a last resort, surgery may be used
as well as topical anesthetics and/or estrogen creams. As a last resort, surgery may be used

to alleviate vestibular pain by removing nerve endings at the vaginal entrance. Pelvic Floor
to alleviate vestibular pain by removing nerve endings at the vaginal entrance. Pelvic Floor

Tension Myalgia is also commonly known as vaginismus. This condition involves involuntary
Tension Myalgia is also commonly known as vaginismus. This condition involves involuntary

pelvic muscle contraction in response to imminent penetration. Whether it’s a tampon in the
pelvic muscle contraction in response to imminent penetration. Whether it’s a tampon in the

bathroom, a speculum in the doctor’s office, or a sex toy or body part in the bedroom,
bathroom, a speculum in the doctor’s office, or a sex toy or body part in the bedroom,

the vagina can reflexively tighten to a point where penetration is difficult and painful.
the vagina can reflexively tighten to a point where penetration is difficult and painful.

There are several factors that can contribute to pelvic floor tension myalgia, including
There are several factors that can contribute to pelvic floor tension myalgia, including

previous trauma, mental illness, and physical issues. Treatment typically involves physical
previous trauma, mental illness, and physical issues. Treatment typically involves physical

therapy for the pelvic floor, often involving Kegel exercises and a dilator set like this
therapy for the pelvic floor, often involving Kegel exercises and a dilator set like this

one. In the most severe cases, Botox injections are sometimes administered to relax the pelvic
one. In the most severe cases, Botox injections are sometimes administered to relax the pelvic

muscles. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is an infection of the upper reproductive tract
muscles. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is an infection of the upper reproductive tract

that's often caused by untreated STIs, particularly gonorrhea and chlamydia. Symptoms can include
that's often caused by untreated STIs, particularly gonorrhea and chlamydia. Symptoms can include

lower abdominal pain, fever, abnormal discharge, longer or worsened periods, bleeding between
lower abdominal pain, fever, abnormal discharge, longer or worsened periods, bleeding between

periods, and, of course, pain during sex. If diagnosed early, pelvic inflammatory disease
periods, and, of course, pain during sex. If diagnosed early, pelvic inflammatory disease

can be treated and cured with antibiotics. Pelvic Congestion Syndrome is a condition
can be treated and cured with antibiotics. Pelvic Congestion Syndrome is a condition

caused by varicose veins forming within the pelvis. This can cause a chronic, dull ache
caused by varicose veins forming within the pelvis. This can cause a chronic, dull ache

in the pelvis that is exacerbated by long periods of standing and often gets worse during
in the pelvis that is exacerbated by long periods of standing and often gets worse during

penetrative sex. Pelvic congestion syndrome can be treated hormonally or by embolizing
penetrative sex. Pelvic congestion syndrome can be treated hormonally or by embolizing

the varicose veins. As a last resort, a hysterectomy may be required. Interstitial Cystitis is
the varicose veins. As a last resort, a hysterectomy may be required. Interstitial Cystitis is

often referred to as “painful bladder syndrome.” This is a chronic condition characterized
often referred to as “painful bladder syndrome.” This is a chronic condition characterized

by bladder pressure and pain. It acts a bit like an intense, never ending urinary tract
by bladder pressure and pain. It acts a bit like an intense, never ending urinary tract

infection, with frequent, low volume urination accompanied by a burning sensation in the
infection, with frequent, low volume urination accompanied by a burning sensation in the

urethra. It can also cause dyspareunia — painful intercourse. Treatment for interstitial cystitis
urethra. It can also cause dyspareunia — painful intercourse. Treatment for interstitial cystitis

may involve antihistamines and antidepressants. A drug called Elmiron — I think that's how
may involve antihistamines and antidepressants. A drug called Elmiron — I think that's how

you pronounce it — which coats and protects the inside of the bladder, is FDA approved
you pronounce it — which coats and protects the inside of the bladder, is FDA approved

for this condition specifically. Endometriosis is a condition where endometrial cells from
for this condition specifically. Endometriosis is a condition where endometrial cells from

the uterus go, “Fuck this shit, I’m out,” and start growing in other parts of the body,
the uterus go, “Fuck this shit, I’m out,” and start growing in other parts of the body,

usually still within the pelvic region. That tissue then proceeds with the regular menstrual
usually still within the pelvic region. That tissue then proceeds with the regular menstrual

cycle of thickening, breaking down, and bleeding — but since it’s not in the uterus where
cycle of thickening, breaking down, and bleeding — but since it’s not in the uterus where

it’s supposed to be, it doesn’t have any way to leave the body. This can cause a whole
it’s supposed to be, it doesn’t have any way to leave the body. This can cause a whole

mess of irritation, growths, and lesions in the body and makes itself known through severe
mess of irritation, growths, and lesions in the body and makes itself known through severe

cramping, chronic pelvic pain, and sometimes pain during sex. Endometriosis is often treated
cramping, chronic pelvic pain, and sometimes pain during sex. Endometriosis is often treated

with anti-inflammatory medications and hormonal birth control to lessen or prevent menstruation
with anti-inflammatory medications and hormonal birth control to lessen or prevent menstruation

and allow the endometrial tissue to shrink. Beyond that, surgery is sometimes done to
and allow the endometrial tissue to shrink. Beyond that, surgery is sometimes done to

remove as much of the tissue as possible, and in the most severe cases a hysterectomy
remove as much of the tissue as possible, and in the most severe cases a hysterectomy

may be necessary. If you’re someone suffering with chronic pelvic pain, I have a few different
may be necessary. If you’re someone suffering with chronic pelvic pain, I have a few different

recommendations for you. One is the book Healing Painful Sex by Deborah Coady and Nancy Fish.
recommendations for you. One is the book Healing Painful Sex by Deborah Coady and Nancy Fish.

I haven’t personally read it, but it’s been highly recommended by sex educators that
I haven’t personally read it, but it’s been highly recommended by sex educators that

I trust. Another is this glass dilator set from Crystal Delights. Dilators are a wonderful
I trust. Another is this glass dilator set from Crystal Delights. Dilators are a wonderful

tool for dealing with pelvic floor muscle related issues, and while silicone is the
tool for dealing with pelvic floor muscle related issues, and while silicone is the

standard, glass dilators are another really great option. They provide less friction going
standard, glass dilators are another really great option. They provide less friction going

in and out of the vagina, and they can also be chilled or heated in different temperatures
in and out of the vagina, and they can also be chilled or heated in different temperatures

of water to soothe inflammation in different ways. On the temperature subject there is
of water to soothe inflammation in different ways. On the temperature subject there is

also this product called the She*Pak which is basically an ice pack for your vagina,
also this product called the She*Pak which is basically an ice pack for your vagina,

and it’s great for soothing irritation from the inside. I really hope this video was helpful!
and it’s great for soothing irritation from the inside. I really hope this video was helpful!

Let me know any thoughts or questions you may have down in the comments. Thanks for
Let me know any thoughts or questions you may have down in the comments. Thanks for

watching, and I’ll see you next time!
watching, and I’ll see you next time!