- 20
- Nov
Dr. Stephanie Buehler
Director, The Buehler Institute
Today I was alerted to an article in Glamour Magazine online on painful sex that I thought might be helpful to my blog readers. It involves a quiz that can help women figure out why they are experiencing painful sex and some suggestions on what to do about it.
A large number of women who visit the Institute experience painful sex, but simply accept it as part of life. Unfortunately, sex that starts out mildly uncomfortable or painful can sometimes become worse over time. Sex therapy can be a helpful part of treatment for various types of painful sex in the following ways:
1. Concrete suggestions for coping with painful sex.
2. Helping spouses cope with a partner’s painful sex.
3. Helping couples change their sexual routines that can make sex fun again.
4. Some women have found hypnosis to be a helpful adjunct. (An “adjunct” means that hypnosis is used in addition to medical and psychological treatment, not in place of it.)
5. Helping with some underlying psychological causes. Not every woman who has experienced painful sex has been sexually abused or assaulted, but a large number have, and we can help with that.
6. Make referrals to physicians who are expert in this area.
BTW men also have painful sex, and a psychotherapist can be helpful with that, too. Would love to see some comments from men and women on what they have found helpful.
