Relief options for sexual pain vary based on the cause of the pain. Common relief options include:

• Water-based lubricants. Lubricants may be recommended to relieve pain related to vaginal dryness.
  
  
• Analgesics such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen. These medications may be used to relieve pain caused by a number of conditions.
  
  
• Antibiotics. These drugs may be prescribed to treat a number of bacterial infections that cause sexual pain, including urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases, prostatitis and bacterial vaginitis.
  
  
• Antifungals. Yeast infections are treated with over-the-counter or prescription fungus-fighting drugs.
  
  
• Hormones. Women experiencing vaginal dryness as the result of menopause may benefit from using prescription estrogen replacement creams.
  
  
• Alpha blockers or DHT (dihydrotestosterone) inhibitors. These medications are common treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
  
  
• Stool softeners. This drug may be used to relieve sexual pain caused by hemorrhoids.
  
  
• Psychological counseling. Counseling may be recommended to treat patients whose sexual pain is related to mental health issues including guilt and unresolved issues with past sexual abuse.
  
  
• Relaxation exercises. Women may benefit from using relaxation techniques to regain control over their vaginal muscles and reduce intercourse-related pain.
  
  
• Transurethral procedures. A number of nonsurgical techniques are available to treat BPH. These procedures involve insertion of narrow heating devices through the urethra to shrink excess prostate tissue.
  
  
• Surgery. Surgery may be recommended for a number of painful conditions, including BPH, endometriosis and retroversion of the uterus.
  
  

Scientists have found that a selective estrogen receptor modulator being developed to prevent and treat the bone disease osteoporosis in postmenopausal women may also relieve their sexual pain. Additional clinical trials of this orally administered drug are under way.