Oral contraceptive use can lead to increased pain during intercourse among young women

According to the Guttmacher Institute, over ten million women in the US use oral contraceptives. Although birth control pills are an effective way to prevent pregnancy, keep acne at bay, and treat menstrual pain or irregularity, there may be some health concerns that are undisclosed to patients. A recent study suggests that oral contraceptive use can lead to increased pain during intercourse, with decreased libido and spontaneous arousability as well as diminished frequency of sexual intercourse and orgasm in young women.

Several recent studies indicate that the use of oral contraceptives is associated with a substantially increased risk of developing vestibulodynia. Additionally, oral contraceptives are known to cause perturbations in serum estradiol, free testosterone levels, and hormonal receptors, as well as alter the morphological pattern of the vulvar vestibular mucosa. Some leading researchers are therefore hypothesizing that these changes may induce atrophic changes in the mucosa of the vulvar vestibule, leading to discomfort and pain with sex; similar to menopausal women.

Women suffering from vulvar pain and irritation are not only subject to physical pain, but emotional stress as well. Relationships are often strained as a result of intimacy issues since women will often abstain from sexual intercourse due to the pain it causes. Additionally, it is common for women to experience a decrease in their self-esteem. 

Although there are several products on the market that target vaginal dryness, one in particular helps to not only soothe, but also to restore vulvar skin. NeoGyn Vulvar Soothing Cream uses Cutaneous Lysate, a naturally balanced blend of proteins discovered in Switzerland, to help comfort this delicate area and provide some relief for this common condition that is rarely discussed.