Rebecca and Leah delve into the often-overlooked issue of sexual pain, discussing its prevalence and the shame that keeps many suffering in silence. They explore the critical distinction between pain being common but not normal, emphasizing that persistent sexual pain requires appropriate investigation and treatment.

• Types of sexual pain including superficial versus deep pain and pain during versus after penetration
• Sexual trauma as a major cause, with the body developing protective responses during intimacy
• Religious and cultural conditioning, particularly purity culture, creating disconnection from bodily knowledge and pleasure
• Vaginismus (involuntary tightening of vaginal muscles) as a common condition requiring specialized treatment
• Medical and hormonal factors including endometriosis, PCOS, menopause, breastfeeding, and medication side effects
• Treatment approaches including pelvic floor physical therapy, dilators, somatic therapy, and couples therapy
• The importance of partner involvement in the healing process
• Realistic expectations about recovery timeframes, typically taking at least a year
• Myth-busting common misconceptions about sexual pain being normal or inevitable
• The option to redefine what sex means for you and your relationship if penetration remains painful

Recommended resources: "Come As You Are" by Emily Nagoski (with accompanying workbook), "The Sexual Healing Journey" by Wendy Maltz, and "Pure" by Linda K. Klein.

Contact us at podcast@validlove.org with your questions or comments.