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Pain During Sex in Lagos?
This Is Not Normal, and It Can Be Treated.

Painful intercourse: dyspareunia: affects approximately 1 in 5 women at some point in their lives. It is not something you should accept as inevitable, and it is not caused by any personal failing. At Mascot Healthcare, Akoka, we assess this privately, thoroughly, and without judgement.

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Confidential consultationFemale clinician on requestPelvic scan same dayWalk-in · Akoka, Lagos
Understanding the pain

Types and Causes of Painful Sex

Pain during sex can be superficial (at the entrance), deep (inside the pelvis), or both. Each type has different causes.

Vaginal dryness

Reduced vaginal lubrication: from hormonal contraceptives, breastfeeding, perimenopause, or insufficient arousal, causes friction and pain at the vaginal entrance. Easily treated with lubricants or hormonal therapy.

Lubricants + hormonal assessment

Vaginismus

Involuntary spasm of the vaginal muscles that makes penetration painful or impossible. Often related to anxiety, trauma, or conditioned fear. Very treatable with directed therapy and pelvic floor work.

Referral for pelvic floor physiotherapy + counselling

Vulvodynia / vestibulodynia

Chronic vulval pain without obvious cause: burning, stinging, or rawness at the vaginal entrance. May be provoked only by touch or persistent. Requires specialist assessment.

Specialist gynaecology referral

Endometriosis

Deep pelvic pain during sex: particularly with deep penetration, is one of the most characteristic symptoms of endometriosis. Often associated with painful periods and pelvic pain between periods.

Pelvic assessment + laparoscopy referral

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Infection of the uterus, tubes, and ovaries causes deep pelvic tenderness and pain during sex. Often develops from untreated chlamydia or gonorrhoea.

STI screen + antibiotic treatment

Ovarian cysts or fibroids

Structural masses in the pelvis can cause pain during intercourse, particularly with certain positions or at certain points in the cycle.

Pelvic scan confirms: management planned
Why this matters

What Happens If Dyspareunia Goes Untreated

Painful sex is one of the most undertreated gynaecological complaints in Nigeria. Many women endure it for years, sometimes their entire adult life, without seeking help, because of embarrassment, a belief that it is normal, or a previous experience of being dismissed by a healthcare provider.

The consequences extend beyond the physical discomfort: relationship strain, avoidance of intimacy, reduced self-esteem, and anxiety are all common secondary effects. In some cases, the underlying cause, untreated endometriosis or PID, leads to fertility damage that could have been prevented.

Our approach is thorough and confidential

At Mascot Healthcare, this consultation is conducted in a private room with a doctor of your choice of gender. We take a detailed history covering the character, location, and timing of pain; associated symptoms; contraceptive and obstetric history; and relevant psychological context. Where appropriate, we perform a pelvic examination and request a pelvic scan on the same day.

What Our Assessment Includes

A thorough assessment for dyspareunia involves ruling out both physical and functional causes.

  • Full symptom and gynaecological history
  • Pelvic examination (with your consent; a chaperone is always offered)
  • Vaginal swab to rule out infection
  • Pelvic ultrasound scan if deep pain, structural cause suspected, or if endometriosis is on the differential
  • STI screen if PID is possible
  • Discussion of lubricants, hormonal management, or pelvic floor referral as appropriate
  • Referral letter for laparoscopy if endometriosis or significant pelvic pathology needs surgical assessment
Questions

Dyspareunia FAQs

Is pain during sex normal?
Mild initial discomfort: particularly early in a sexual relationship or after a period of abstinence, can be normal. Pain that is consistent, significant, or worsening is not normal and should be assessed.
I'm embarrassed to talk about this to a doctor. Is it really necessary?
Yes, and we understand. Our doctors deal with this complaint regularly and approach it without judgement. If you would prefer a female doctor, please request this when you arrive. Everything discussed remains completely confidential.
Could my pain be psychological?
Psychological factors: anxiety, past trauma, relationship dynamics, can absolutely contribute to painful sex, particularly through vaginismus or reduced arousal and lubrication. This does not make the pain any less real, and psychological causes respond well to treatment. Our doctors assess both physical and functional causes together.
My pain is deep inside, not at the entrance. What could that be?
Deep dyspareunia: pain felt inside the pelvis during deep penetration, is more suggestive of endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, or PID. A pelvic scan is an important first investigation for deep pain.

You Deserve Comfortable, Joyful Intimacy.

Private, expert assessment for dyspareunia at Mascot Healthcare, Akoka. Same-day appointments when available.

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Painful periodsPelvic painPelvic scanSTI clinicWomen's health clinic

Last updated 16 October 2026.