Prevalence and incidence of prolonged and severe dyspareunia in women: results from a population study

Aims: The principle aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and incidence of prolonged (≥6 months) and severe dyspareunia in a non-patient population of women, and to explore the rate of recovery as well as the inclination to seek medical care. Another aim was to compare the use of oral contraceptives among women who had ever had dyspareunia and those who had not. Methods: A total of 3,017 women aged 20-60 participating in a screening program for cervical cancer answered a questionnaire about possible painful coitus. Results: The prevalence was 9.3% for the whole group and 13% for women aged 20-29 and 6.5% for the women aged 50-60, with a risk ratio of 2.0 (95% CI 1.4-2.8) for the youngest age group compared with the oldest. The incidence risk ratio was 9.3 (95% CI 2.8-30.9) for the youngest age group compared with the oldest. Using age-specific incidence rates, a rising incidence of dyspareunia in young women was demonstrated. Of the women who had ever had prolonged and severe dyspareunia 28% had consulted a physician for their symptoms; 20% recovered after treatment, while 31% recovered spontaneously. No differences were found in the use of oral contraceptives between the women who had had dyspareunia and those who had not. Conclusions: Prolonged and severe dyspareunia is a great health problem among all women and especially young women, for whom a rising incidence of dyspareunia is suggested and discussed. Surprisingly few women have consulted a physician, raising the question of why this is the case and what can be done about it.