Sexual pain in women: Etiology, management, and directions for future research

Sexual pain disorders are particularly prevalent in women. Because many causes of sexual pain exist, a variety of presentations and treatment options are available. Our understanding of these disorders is very limited, especially when no anatomic or behavioral explanations for the pain can be found. Sexual pain is a significant source of morbidity, and problems stemming from it may affect a woman's sexual functioning, her psychological well-being, and her relationship with her partner. This paper discusses the basic mechanisms of pain sensation, the prevalence and causes of sexual pain in women, and the existing literature on the treatment of these conditions.