Sex shouldn’t be painful. Here’s what to do if it is

(Julianna Bragg/ CNN Health) — When Nicole started having pain during intercourse nearly a decade ago, she was determined to find a solution.

After consulting with multiple specialists, she was diagnosed with labial hypoplasia, a condition in which her outer labia were only partially formed. Following surgery to correct the issue, she found significant relief and remained relatively pain-free, incorporating yoga into her routine to further support her healing.

But the pain returned six years later, this time during the initial stages of penetration.

The 33-year-old California resident has been fighting for three years to receive a formal diagnosis, as the root of her discomfort remains unclear. She requested only her first name be used out of privacy concerns.

“I get a lot of ‘it’s probably anxiety or related to mental health,’” she said. “It’s disappointing since I made a ton of progress and now feel like I’m being tossed aside.” (…)