Freedom Journal

Sign up to receive updates from Move Beyond.

Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (GPPPD)

13 November 2023•1 min read

What is Genito-Pelvic Pain / Penetration Disorder (GPPPD)?

Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder impacts the pelvic floor muscles around the vagina. This can present in various ways.

This may involve:

Having trouble with vaginal penetration or pelvic pain during penetration
Pain and difficulty with inserting tampons, pap smears and pelvic examinations
Fear or anxiety about pain in anticipation of, during or after vaginal penetration
Tensing or tightening of pelvic floor muscles during or attempted penetration/examination

Causes of GPPPD

Some of the causes of GPPPD include:

Vaginal dryness secondary to hormonal changes e.g. breastfeeding or menopause
Skin conditions contributing to increased sensitivity to the genital area
Thrush or urinary tract infections
Lack of lubrication
Endometriosis
Interstitial cystitis
Pelvic floor dysfunction
Fibroids
A history of sexual trauma
Radiation therapy

Is there any treatment for GPPPD and what are the options?

Pelvic health physiotherapists who have undergone extra training in GPPPD have various treatment techniques to help with symptoms and treating the contributing factors of GPPPD.

A qualified pelvic health physiotherapist will help to identify the cause of the pain and provide tailored treatment to suit your needs.

Some treatment options include:

Vaginal lubricants and moisturisers
Education regarding vulval hygiene
Pelvic floor down training
Dilator therapy
Referral to sex therapist and/or psychologist
Liaising with GP for pharmacological management if appropriate

If you would like to make an appointment for GPPPD or have your symptoms assessed for diagnosis, make an appointment with our highly trained and specialised pelvic health physiotherapists.

Book now

Back to Top

Back to Blog