Peer Reviewed
Feature Article Women’s health
Dyspareunia in women: managing a common problem
Abstract
It is important to assess women presenting with dyspareunia carefully and to make an accurate diagnosis prior to commencing treatment for any underlying physical and psychological problems.
Key Points
- There are many causes of dyspareunia in women. The underlying problem may be acute or chronic.
- Including questions about sexual function in the history taking routine will enable a discussion of sexual problems.
- Dyspareunia is likely to have a major impact on relationship dynamics.
- It is important that women with chronic dyspareunia understand that accurate diagnosis is necessary because there are many different causes and these have different treatments.
- All treatments should be given a proper trial over a reasonable period of time.
- Lichen sclerosus and vulval and vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN and VAIN, respectively) lesions should be checked regularly for malignant change.
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