Dyspareunia, commonly known as painful sex, affects people of all genders and can have both physical and emotional causes from vaginismus, vulval or vaginal pain and pelvic floor dysfunction to stress, anxiety or relationship difficulties. This article explores the key causes, symptoms and impact of dyspareunia and explains how psychosexual therapy can help individuals and couples heal from sexual pain, improve sexual communication and rebuild intimacy.
November 7, 2025
If you've ever experience pain or discomfort during or after sexual intercourse, sometimes deep or surface level, sudden or persistent, sharp or dull, you might be experiencing dyspareunia. Although it's more common than many realise, it's a topic surrounded by shame and silence. In this article we will look at key causes of dyspareunia, how it can affect relationships and intimacy and how psychosexual therapy can help to recover from this sexual function issue and support sexual wellbeing.
Dyspareunia is a medical term for genital or pelvic pain associated with sexual intercourse. It might occur:
Although the focus is often on women, men may also experience dyspareunia ( for example, pain on penetration or deep thrusting).
Recognising that pain during sex isn't 'normal' is the first step toward healing. You deserve pain-free, pleasurable intimacy.
Pain during intercourse is more common than people think, yet it's often shrouded in silence.
London Psychosexual Therapy, a London-based therapy service offering psychosexual therapy, lists vulval or vaginal pain and low or no desire among common sexual difficulties they help with. Helen Bright-Gerrie, a qualified and experienced psychosexual therapist provides psychosexual therapy, couples therapy and relationship counselling to address sexual pain and intimacy concerns.
Dyspareunia frequently impacts individuals and couples in the UK but professional help is available on www.londonpsychosexualtherapy.co.uk
Dyspareunia is often multifactional- a blend of physical and emotional influences. Effective treatment therefore requires a holistic and compassionate approach.
When sex becomes painful, it can trigger a ripple effect across emotional connection, intimacy and self-esteem.
This is why dyspareunia is as much a relationship issue as it is a physical or psychological one. During psychosexual therapy sessions, Helen Bright-Gerrie, a qualified and experienced psychosexual therapist, focuses on sexual communication, intimacy and couples therapy as well to rebuild connection and trust.
Psychosexual therapy is a form of specialised talking therapy that helps individuals and couples understand and overcome sexual difficulties. It combines psychological insight, body awareness and relational techniques to support both mind and body healing.
In London Psychosexual Therapy a confidential, supportive and non-judgemental space is provided where clients can explore 'low desire, arousal difficulties or painful sex'.
During assessment Helen Bright-Gerrie will explore your history, symptoms, emotions and relationship context. You might be recommended to do a medical check-up to rule out physical causes.
You will learn about how body and mind interact: how tension, anxiety and avoidance can perpetuate pain.
Many psychosexual therapists use sensate focus, a series of gradual, non-penetrative exercises designed to rebuild trust in physical touch and reduce anxiety around intimacy.
Therapy offers a safe place to discuss fears, avoidance and emotional blocks around sex. You'll develop skills for open and supportive sexual communication.
If trauma or sexual assault is part of your history, therapy provides a safe, compassionate space to process and heal.
Dyspareunia or painful sex can feel isolating, frustrating and even shameful but the effective help is available. Whether you pain is linked to vaginismus, vulval or vaginal pain, pelvic floor dysfunction or emotional causes such as anxiety, stress or past trauma, a compassionate and qualified psychosexual therapist, Helen Bright-Gerrie, can help you to rediscover comfort, confidence and pleasure.
At its heart, psychosexual therapy focuses on both mind and body, helping you understand how tension, fear or low sexual desire may be linked to pain and how to rebuild intimacy and trust.
