Why Is Sex Painful? Let’s Talk Rare Causes! | Dr. Alexandra Dubinskaya

Fempower Health: The Chronic Pelvic Pain Channel

Discover the rare-ish causes of pain during sex with expert insights from Dr. Alexandra Dubinskaya. Learn about the impact of hormonal changes, birth control, vaginal cysts, lichen sclerosus, and effective treatments. Whether you're experiencing painful sex or looking to support patients, this episode offers valuable information on women’s sexual health.

Rare-ish Causes of Pain with Sex Episode Summary

In this enlightening episode of Fempower Health, host Georgie Kovacs is joined by Dr. Alexandra Dubinskaya, a board-certified OB-GYN and urogynecologist specializing in pelvic floor disorders and sexual health. Together, they dive into the often-overlooked causes of pain during sex. From hormonal changes to rare conditions like lichen sclerosus and vaginal cysts, Dr. Dubinskaya offers her expert insight into these underdiagnosed conditions, empowering women to advocate for themselves and seek appropriate care. Whether you’re a woman dealing with these issues or a clinician looking to better serve your patients, this episode is a must-listen for understanding the complexities of female sexual health.

Key Discussion Points:

• What causes pain during sex, and how can it be treated?
• Can birth control cause vaginal dryness and pain during sex?
• How do hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause impact sexual health?
• What are rare causes of pain with sex, and how can women recognize the symptoms?
• What is lichen sclerosus, and how can it be treated to prevent long-term complications?
• Why do some women experience pain during sex after childbirth, and what can be done about it?
• How can a urogynecologist help women with chronic pelvic pain or urinary incontinence?
• What are the signs of vaginal cysts, and when should women seek treatment?
• How can pelvic floor therapy help with pelvic organ prolapse and pain during intercourse?
• What can clinicians do to better diagnose rare pelvic conditions like urethral diverticulum?

“What I noticed when I was in my OB-GYN residency training is that the moment women stop having kids, they can’t find their space or find help in the regular OB-GYN office.” - Dr. Alexandra Dubinskaya

Related to this episode on Painful sex:

• Learn more about Dr Axexandra Dubinskaya and follow her on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn
• Looking for a specialist? Check out Fempower Health’s find a doctor resource
• Check out Fempower Health’s resources on Pelvic Health and Sexual Health.

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Fempower Health Guest Bio

Dr. Alexandra Dubinskaya is a Urogynecologist and Sexual Medicine specialist in Beverly Hills, CA. She caters to patients seeking expert care for issues ranging from urinary incontinence to pelvic organ prolapse, UTIs to interstitial cystitis, vestibulodynia to sexual dysfunction. Dr. Dubinskaya harmoniously blends her vast expertise in urogynecology, female pelvic medicine, reconstructive surgery, sexual health, and menopause to offer a holistic care paradigm that truly celebrates and nurtures women.

Her journey started in Russia, where she had the honor of training at the prestigious North Western State Medical University and I.I. Dzhanelidze Research Institute of Emergency Care in Saint Petersburg. She then continued to the revered institutions like Tufts Medical Center in Boston and St. Francis Hospital in Hartford. Dr. Dubinskaya has honed her craft, always driven by her unwavering commitment to women’s health. Her pivotal experience at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills, CA, as a fellow in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, further solidified her position as a vanguard in her field.

Dr. Dubinskaya is globally recognized and serves as the chairperson of the Communication Committee for the International Society of Sexual Medicine, championing sexual literacy and fostering a dialogue about women’s intimate health on a grand scale.

A prolific contributor to academia, her insights are featured across the pages of esteemed journals and seminal textbooks, including Ostergard’s Urogynecology and Steele’s Colorectal Textbooks, setting new benchmarks in women’s health. She was also published in "Taking Care of You," writing the chapter on Vulvodynia, and in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

Disclaimer

**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor. Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.**