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Healthinmind/Mental
Health Disorders/Sexual Disorders
Sexual
Pain Disorders
The
sexual pain disorders have only two subclasses in DSM-IV:
Vaginismus, mentioned in
connection with sexual arousal disorders
on this site, and Dyspareunia (which
means pain during intercourse, either during penetration or as a
result of thrusting). A diagnosis of Dyspareunia requires that the
pain not be caused by Vaginismus or by lack of lubrication. Both
males and females can be diagnosed with Dyspareunia. Obviously,
the pain can disrupt sexual intercourse and relationships with the
sex partner. Because this does not strike most people as a
"mental" problem, most seek relief from a family
physician rather than a mental health professional. Usually, no
medical problem is found. There is little information about the
prognosis for people with Dyspareunia, but an evaluation by a
psychiatrist familiar with this type of problem is clearly an
intelligent first step. The little evidence available indicates
that the disorder is likely to persist if it is not treated.
Vaginismus,
as noted in our discussion of sexual arousal disorders, is almost
always curable; it involves involuntary, intense, spasmodic
contraction of the muscles of the outer third of the vagina,
making penetration impossible.
Visit a web site
that offers information and a directory of sex therapists.
Last updated 12/19/03
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