Quarantining with a partner can present a myriad of issues—changes in power dynamics and roles in the relationship due to job changes or job loss, coparenting while trapped together, stressors related to worrying about older or at risk family members, loss of alone time, inability to engage in enjoyable hobbies or coping skills, etc. All of these challenges can of course spill over into our sex … [Read more...] about Sexual Issues in the Time of Quarantine
Sexual and Pelvic Pain
Expanding Your Sexual Menu
Over the course of a long-term relationship there will be points where penetrative sex is not an option, or when couples want to expand their sexual repertoire even if penetrative sex is still an option. Common reasons why couples must sometimes take penetrative sex off the table include when the female partner is struggle with a sexual or pelvic pain condition, when a partner is receiving … [Read more...] about Expanding Your Sexual Menu
5 Common Questions About Vaginismus
What is Vaginismus?:Vaginismus is when the muscles surrounding the vaginal opening involuntarily contract or spasm, making penetration of any kind painful, if not impossible. What are the Symptoms of Vaginismus?: Many women with vaginismus are unable to tolerate inserting a tampon, having a pelvic exam or having penetrative sex. Often women will describe attempts at penetrative sex as if their … [Read more...] about 5 Common Questions About Vaginismus
The Importance of Collaborative Care
Multiple studies at this point have demonstrated the effectiveness of collaborative care in treating complex sexual issues such as female sexual/pelvic pain (Reissing, Binik, Khalif, Cohen & Amsel, 2003; Brotto, Young, Smith & Sadownik, 2015; Bergeron, Corsini-Munt, Aerts, Rancourt, & Rosen, 2015; Meena, 2009). There are many factors that cause and/or magnify sexual/pelvic pain from … [Read more...] about The Importance of Collaborative Care
Tips for Pleasurable Sex for Women with Pelvic & Sexual Pain
About a third of women will experience pelvic/sexual pain at some point in their lives. Whether your pain is related to post-partum issues (dryness related to breastfeeding, pelvic floor muscle dysfunction from pregnancy) or a chronic condition (IC, endometriosis, vulvodynia, changes from menopause) it is possible to have pleasure sexual experiences with yourself or with your partner. Consider the … [Read more...] about Tips for Pleasurable Sex for Women with Pelvic & Sexual Pain
When Trauma Gets in the Way of Treating Pelvic or Sexual Pain
If you have pelvic or sexual pain your doctor may have recommended you do pelvic floor physical therapy. Other recommendations may have also included dilator therapy or getting injections or using suppositories. These treatments not only require time, energy and financial resources, but they can also be triggering for those with trauma in their past. Sexual trauma, medical trauma, an abusive … [Read more...] about When Trauma Gets in the Way of Treating Pelvic or Sexual Pain