Vitality Therapy And Performance

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Pain With Sex

Pain with penetrative sex (dyspareunia) is a common complaint among women of reproductive age and is often seen as a gynecological problem. Pain with intercourse is multifactorial, however, and you may be surprised to hear that physical therapy can help with this issue. Multidisciplinary treatment of pain with sex is important, as this issue can have a negative effect not just on our ability to experience pleasure, but on our overall quality of life.
You may feel awkward or embarrassed seeking treatment, but we are experts in making you feel comfortable. We are confident we can help you find relief from pain with intercourse.

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Vitality

Can We Help?

Understand Your Condition

We will listen to you and learn about your pain to determine if there is an association with a certain event (childbirth, menopause, trauma) or if your pain is solely coming from an overactive pelvic floor.

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How does PT decrease pain with sex?

Muscle tension, trapped nerves, and decreased blood flow can often be the culprits behind painful intercourse. Your individualized treatment plan will be based on your personal concerns and may include manual therapy, regaining awareness of the pelvic floor, tension relieving techniques, or use of a pelvic wand / dilators.

How long will it take?

Our goal at Vitality Pelvic Health is to provide trauma informed care and compassion, moving at a pace set by our patients for their comfort and optimal recovery. On average, treatment takes 10-15 visits but is highly variable dependent on the individual.

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Pain with intercourse is common, but not normal!

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3 %

Effects 3-18% of women worldwide

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Pain with intercourse if left untreated, can contribute to hypervigilance to pain, anxiety, depression, and poor body image

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0 %

of women see improvement in dyspareunia with pelvic floor therapy alone

Common complaints

“Feels like a cramp deep in the pelvis”
“A tearing or stinging sensation”
“I have no interest in trying anymore”
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Frequently Asked Questions

Commonly diagnosed conditions that are associated with pain with intercourse are vaginismus (pain with penetration), interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, tailbone pain, pudendal neuralgia, endometriosis, and pelvic pain.

Increased tone of the pelvic floor or spasms in the muscles of the pelvic floor can decrease the size of the vaginal opening and lead to pain with penetration. There is not always a direct cause, but there can be an association with history of sexual abuse or trauma, other pelvic trauma (child birth, sport accident, etc), or other stress related factors.
Other pelvic floor muscle disorders such as endometriosis or radiation fibrosis syndrome can also contribute to pain with penetration.

Every case is different and dependent on many different factors. On average, patients see an improvement in 10-20 visits.

Changes in estrogen from breastfeeding or menopause can contribute to thinning of the vaginal wall and decreased lubrication. Your physical therapist can help identify these concerns and refer you to the appropriate provider. Proper management of pain with intercourse is multidisciplinary.

Pain with Intercourse Quizzes
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Can pelvic floor physical therapy help your situation? Take this quick quiz!

Get To Know Our Pelvic Health Team...

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Tristen Swengle

PT, DPT, Director of Pelvic Health
Learn More
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Nikki Randolph

PT, DPT, Pelvic Health Specialist
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Kally Owen

PT, DPT
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Testimonials

What Clients Are Saying

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Stacy B

I have been coming to Vitality Pelvic Health for several weeks. I was looking for options to help strengthen my pelvic floor following an injury during childbirth and just aging in general. I am 44 years old, and my youngest child is 13, but Tristan explained that we are always in that postpartum phase. Tristan is extremely knowledgeable and so incredibly thorough! I’ve never met anyone who knows so much about pelvic dysfunction and ways to combat it. She’s created a strengthening program for me that I can continue to use long after my sessions are completed. I highly recommend her to any woman seeking help in this area. You will not regret it!

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Illustration of a woman with long, flowing brown hair, depicted in a minimalist style with soft earth tones. She is wearing a sleeveless top and appears to be in a thoughtful pose, reflecting on
Shannon F

Dr. Nikki is truly amazing. I came to her a year and half after having my baby because I felt like something was off and that I was still not fully recovered. She gave me a whole toolbox of movements and practices to get myself back together and feel confident that my body could safely pick up my growing daughter. She figured out exactly what I needed to do, and gave me a realistic plan all while being so kind and patient. I could not recommend her more to any new moms or moms to be (or really anyone struggling with functional movement).

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Ready To Get Started?

Whether you need more information or are ready to get started on your path to recovery, our team is here to help. All we ask is you simply reach out by filling out a quick form. No commitment to doing this, but we just might be the answer you have been looking for. You owe it to yourself to at least find out more.

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A smiling woman with curly hair wearing a black top, specializing in physical therapy and pelvic health, standing against a plain white background.

Tristen Swengle

PT, DPT, DIRECTOR OF PELVIC HEALTH

Tristen, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, is passionate about treating active women and men who are dealing with various types of pelvic floor dysfunction so that they are able to return to their preferred exercise routine and lifestyle. She received her doctorate from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Fayetteville, AR. Since graduating, Tristen has continued to pursue further education through the Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute.

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Nikki Randolph

PT, DPT, PELVIC HEALTH SPECIALIST

Nikki is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tulsa in 2015. She then received her doctorate from Washington University in St Louis in 2022. During her time there she became passionate about pelvic floor rehabilitation, specifically in both the active population and post-oncologic. Nikki is continuing to pursue her education through Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute. The opportunity to help patients achieve their goals, live free from pelvic pain, and feel empowered with the tools and knowledge to live a healthy life is incredibly meaningful to her.

A smiling young woman with blonde hair, wearing a black t-shirt with "physical therapy" text, stands against a light gray background.

Kally Owen

PT, DPT, Pelvic Health
Kally holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences and a minor in Microbiology from Oklahoma State University graduating in 2019 and from there went on to earn her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 2022. Kally enjoys treating all orthopedic conditions with a special interest in pelvic floor physical therapy and she is Dry Needling certified. She enjoys working with patients who desire to take an active role in their recovery and loves learning unique and holistic ways to provide the best to the clients she treats. Kally is continuing to pursue her education through Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute.