Sexual arousal is not always enough to reduce the pain that women may experience during intercourse.
- 73% of women have already had pain during sexual intercourse.
- Faced with the scale of the phenomenon, researchers have studied the link between female arousal and sexual pain.
- No significant association was found between these two variables.
While 73% of women have already had pain during sexual intercourse, a new study published in the scientific journal Psychological Science reveals that good excitement is not always enough to calm these pains. In these cases, other options must therefore be offered to relieve patients.
No significant link between sexual arousal and pain in women
Researchers conducted the trial with 163 participants who were exposed to different emotional stimuli while performing a cold pressor test (CPT), a common method for measuring pain perception. Three films were used to induce sexual arousal, a neutral state, or disgust.
Contrary to their expectations, the researchers did not find a significant link between sexual arousal and pain in women. Their results showed that, whatever the emotion induced by the film, it did not significantly affect the perception of pain in the patients included in the study.
Pain and sexuality: further research is needed
This finding challenges previous studies primarily conducted on men, which tended to favor a link between sexual arousal and pain relief.
Scientists say more research is needed to better understand their findings and their implications for treating sexual pain in women.
Pain during sexual intercourse: who should women consult?
In the meantime, if the pain persists during sexual intercourse, do not hesitate to consult a doctor. “I think that this is the role of the gynecologist, but faced with the lack of health professionals in this sector, many unfortunately do not have the time and energy to take care of the sexuality of their many patients.
In this case, sexologists, midwives, physiotherapists, osteopaths and general practitioners can also be good recourses if they are sufficiently trained (which is far from always being the case).
And if we ever feel that the caregiver’s feedback is not positive on the subject, I advise consulting someone else, because we must not be left alone with our pain.”explained gynecologist Alix Sesques recently to Why Doctor.
