Female dyspareunia

This descriptive study presents 230 women with the chief or major complaint of pain during intercourse. The patients were assessed according to the medical model with careful screening for intrapersonal (intrapsychic), interpersonal (relationship), and physical factors that contributed to the patient's discomfort. Each patient had a careful pelvic examination to clarify the physical and physiologic factors which contributed to the patient's discomfort. Each total assessment attempted to identify the primary source of the patient's complaint. Sixty-two patients were seen as primarily having an interpersonal problem; 100 had intrapersonal problems, and 68 primarily had a physical problem. Secondary physical problems were identified in 22 patients from the first two of these three groups. Factors which highlight each group are presented. Standard treatment techniques were employed for each group. Treatment successes are discussed briefly for each of the three groups.