Sexual Pain Treatment in Chattanooga TN
Relief Starts With Being Taken Seriously
Compassionate, evidence-based sexual pain treatment in Chattanooga
If sex is painful, it can affect more than your body. It can impact your confidence, your relationships, and how safe you feel in your own skin.
At the Lotus Center for Women, we provide compassionate, evidence-based sexual pain treatment in Chattanooga. We take your symptoms seriously, we move at your pace, and we focus on finding the real “why” behind your pain, so you can feel more comfortable, connected, and in control again.
What is Sexual Pain?
Sexual pain is an umbrella term for symptoms that cause discomfort or pain before, during, or after sexual activity.
Some people feel a sharp or burning sensation at the vaginal opening. Others experience deep pelvic pain, tightness, cramping, or pain that lingers for hours or days.
At Lotus, our goal is not to rush you into a label. It’s to understand your symptoms, identify the underlying cause, and build a sexual pain treatment plan that helps you feel better.
Pain during sex is more common than most people realize. And while it can be deeply frustrating, confusing, or isolating, it is also highly treatable.
Sexual pain is never “all in your head,” and you do not need to wait until things get worse to ask for help.
Common Symptoms We Help Treat
Painful sex
Pain during sex
Dyspareunia
Vaginismus
Vulvodynia
Pelvic pain during intimacy
Vaginal burning
Vestibulodynia
Postpartum pain during sex
Perimenopause pain during sex
Menopause painful sex
Pelvic floor dysfunction
What Causes Pain During Sex?
Sexual pain is usually multi-factorial, meaning there may be more than one contributor.
When we build your sexual pain treatment plan, we look at the full picture, not just one possible cause.
Physical and hormonal causes may include:
Low estrogen (perimenopause, menopause, postpartum, breastfeeding)
Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)
Vaginal dryness or tissue thinning
Inflammation or irritation
Vulvodynia or vestibulodynia
Vaginismus
Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction
Endometriosis or adenomyosis
Ovarian cysts
Fibroids
Recurrent UTIs or bladder pain
Chronic yeast infections or BV
Skin conditions like lichen sclerosus
Emotional and nervous-system contributors may include:
A protective pain response after repeated discomfort
Past trauma (even if it was years ago)
Anxiety, stress, or fear around penetration
A heightened nervous-system response
Important: acknowledging these factors is not the same as dismissing your symptoms. The brain and body work together, and effective care often does too.
Sexual Pain Conditions We Treat
Sexual pain can come from several different conditions. Identifying the right contributor is one of the most important steps in effective sexual pain treatment.
Dyspareunia
A clinical term for pain during sex, which may be superficial (at the opening) or deep (in the pelvis). Dyspareunia is one of the most common reasons women seek sexual pain treatment.
Vaginismus
Involuntary tightening of pelvic floor muscles that can make penetration painful or impossible.
Vulvodynia/Vestibulodynia
Chronic pain or burning of the vulva or vestibule (the tissue around the vaginal opening), often triggered by touch.
Menopause-Related Sexual Pain (GSM)
When hormonal changes lead to dryness, thinning, and irritation that makes sex painful.
Postpartum Sexual Pain
Pain after childbirth is common, but persistent pain is a sign you deserve support.
Our Approach to Sexual Pain Treatment at Lotus
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to sexual pain treatment. That’s why our care is personalized, gentle, and rooted in both medical expertise and emotional safety.
Depending on your symptoms, your exam findings, and your goals, your sexual pain treatment plan may include:
A supportive, unhurried consultation
A gentle pelvic exam (only with your consent)
Hormone evaluation when appropriate
Vaginal estrogen or other hormonal support
Non-hormonal moisturizers and tissue support
Pelvic floor physical therapy referrals
Topical medications for pain and inflammation
Treatment for infections or skin conditions
Guidance on lubrication, arousal, and comfort strategies
Nervous-system support and pain re-training approaches
We will never rush you. We will also never tell you to “just relax.”
What to Expect at Your Visit
If you’ve had a painful experience with gynecologic care in the past, it’s completely normal to feel nervous.
At Lotus, we prioritize:
Privacy
Consent
Clear communication
Gentle pacing
A plan you actually understand
Your first visit is focused on listening, history, and understanding the full picture. If an exam is needed, we talk through every step first, and you stay in control.
You’re Not “Broken,” and You’re Not Alone
Needing sexual pain treatment does not mean anything is wrong with you. It means your body is asking for support.
Sexual pain can feel isolating, especially when it’s been dismissed or minimized.
But pain is information. And with the right care, many women experience meaningful relief, improved comfort, and a renewed sense of confidence in their bodies.
FAQ: Sexual Pain Treatment
Is painful sex normal?
Pain during sex is common, but it is not something you should have to tolerate. Persistent pain is a sign that something needs attention, and sexual pain treatment can help.
What doctor should I see for pain during sex?
A women’s health provider with experience in sexual health, pelvic pain, and menopause care is a great place to start. The right provider will focus on both comfort and evidence-based sexual pain treatment.
Can menopause cause pain during sex?
Yes. Hormonal changes can cause dryness, tissue thinning, and irritation, which can make sex painful. Menopause-related sexual pain treatment may include local hormonal support and tissue care.
Can pelvic floor tightness cause pain during sex?
Absolutely. Pelvic floor muscle tension is one of the most common and most treatable contributors to sexual pain. Pelvic floor therapy is often a key part of sexual pain treatment.
Will I need a pelvic exam?
Not always, and never without your consent. At Lotus, we take a gentle approach and prioritize your comfort.
Sexual Pain Treatment Starts With a Conversation
If you’re experiencing pain during sex, you deserve care that’s compassionate, medically informed, and centered on you.
The Lotus Center for Women is here to help you understand the cause of your symptoms and find a path forward, with support you can actually trust.