When pain during sex is recurrent or persistent, then you should see a doctor or visit the sexual health clinic. Let them assess your condition, to understand better what the underlying cause is and determine if treatment is required.

Painful sex in men
As aforementioned, pain during sex or dyspareunia is more prevalent in women. However, in some rare cases, it has been known to affect men as well.  Painful intercourse for men may be caused by:

• Infections such as thrush, which typically leads to soreness and itching. Some sexually transmitted infections like herpes are also known to cause this.
• Inflammation of the prostate gland; which is medically referred to as prostatitis, may also cause pain during sex for a man.
• Small tears in the foreskin that are normally not visible may cause men to feel sore as well as experience sharp, stinging pains around the tear during sex.
• Sometimes, the man may experience testicular swelling and pain when he is sexually aroused but does not ejaculate.
• If the man has physical abnormalities of the penis such as a tight foreskin, he is likely to feel pain during penetration. This is because his foreskin is pushed backward when he penetrates, thus causing him pain during intercourse.

Preparing for Your Appointment
When pain during sex is recurrent or persistent, then it is important to address the issue by seeking medical help. Usually, as part of a routine medical visit, gynecologists and primary care doctors tend to ask about your intimacy and sex life. Your doctor may be able to diagnose your problem, as well as recommend a proper treatment plan. If not, you can be referred to a specialist who can.  

What you can do:
To prepare for your doctor’s appointment:

• Make sure to take note of any of the sexual problems that you may be experiencing, including how they occur and how often they do.  
• List down key medical information such as any conditions you are currently being treated for, and the names of all medication that you are taking, including supplements or vitamins.
• Make a list of the questions that you may want to ask your doctor. You should also carry a pen and notepaper where you can jot down the information provided by your doctor as he addresses your queries.

Basic questions that you should consider asking may include:

• What is the underlying cause of your problem?
• What lifestyle changes can you make to change or improve your current situation?
• Are there any treatments available for you?
• What reading materials or websites can the doctor recommend for more information?

Questions your doctor may ask:
To understand what your problem may be, your doctor will ask some questions regarding the symptoms you have been experiencing, as well as assess your hormonal status. Your doctor may want to know;

• If you have any sexual concerns
• When you initially began to feel the pain
• Where you feel the pain
• If the pain occurs every time you have sex or if it is only during certain situations
• If there are other nonsexual activities that also cause you pain
• If you have also been experiencing vaginal itching, irritation, or even burning
• If in the past, you had other gynecological conditions diagnosed
• If you have ever had gynecologic surgery before