Painful intercourse — known medically as dyspareunia — is pain felt before, during, or after sex. At FemRenew in Toronto, we assess what’s actually causing it and discuss non-surgical painful intercourse treatment options, including MonaLisa Touch laser and PRP, that work to relieve common causes such as vaginal dryness and thinning tissue.
Overview & Causes
We see many women who share the same story: sex used to feel good, and now it’s uncomfortable enough to avoid. Before menopause, when estrogen is present, the vagina has rich blood flow, a healthy pink colour, real thickness, and the natural moisture that makes intercourse comfortable. As estrogen levels fall and eventually disappear through menopause, that tissue becomes paler, thinner, and drier. Without enough natural lubrication, friction that once went unnoticed now causes burning, soreness, and pain — a pattern doctors call vaginal atrophy, or genitourinary syndrome of menopause. By widely cited estimates, the majority of women experience some of these changes after menopause, so if this is happening to you, you’re far from alone.
Menopause isn’t the only cause. Painful intercourse can also come from pelvic floor tension, dryness related to certain medications or breastfeeding, skin conditions such as lichen sclerosus, infections, or ongoing tissue irritation. Because these causes overlap, a proper gynecologic assessment is the honest starting point — it tells us what’s driving your pain before we talk about any treatment. As natural as aging is, quietly accepting the discomfort isn’t your only option.
Symptoms
- Burning, stinging, or rawness during or after sex
- Dryness or a feeling of tightness at the vaginal opening
- Deep pain with penetration
- Light bleeding or spotting after intercourse
- Tenderness, itching, or a noticeable change in odour
- A gradual loss of desire that follows the discomfort
How FemRenew Approaches Painful Intercourse
FemRenew was one of Canada’s first gynaecology practices to offer laser and PRP treatments that renew vaginal tissue, and Dr. Fay Weisberg leads that care. Which option suits you depends entirely on what your assessment finds.
For dryness and thinning linked to lower estrogen, we’ll often discuss MonaLisa Touch — a CO2 laser that aims to stimulate blood flow, collagen, and healthier tissue without hormones or surgery. For some women, PRP (platelet-rich plasma), which uses your own blood platelets to encourage tissue regeneration, becomes part of the conversation. Hormonal options help some women but aren’t right for everyone, and over-the-counter lubricants are a reasonable first step that often isn’t enough on its own. We’ll walk you through what each option involves, what it can and can’t do, and whether you’re a good candidate — no pressure, just a clear picture so you can decide.
What to Expect — Your OHIP Consultation
Care at FemRenew begins with an OHIP Consultation. You book through our site, and we’ll contact you within 24–48 hours to set up your appointment. During the consultation, Dr. Weisberg reviews your history, symptoms, and any medications, then performs a pelvic exam to identify the cause of the pain. From there you’ll get a straightforward explanation of your options and a plan built around your symptoms and goals — not a one-size-fits-all script. FemRenew also has a sister fertility clinic, so if intercourse pain connects to family-planning concerns, that care is close at hand. To begin, call (416) 924-4666 or book your OHIP Consultation online.
Set-up your OHIP Consultation
We will contact you within 24-48 hours to set up your OHIP Consultation
Check out our sister Fertility Clinic
