A woman's sexuality is a complex interplay of physical and emotional responses that affects the way she thinks and feels about herself. A sexual problem can hurt her personal relationships and her self-esteem. Yet, many women hesitate to talk about their sexuality with their health care professionals, and many health professionals are reluctant to begin a discussion about sexuality with their patients. Women can experience a variety of sexual problems, such as lack of desire, difficulty becoming aroused or having an orgasm or having pain during sex. When a physical or emotional problem persists, it's time to contact a health care professional.

When should I see a health care professional about painful sex? What kinds of gynecologic conditions can cause pain during sex? Are there things a woman can do on her own to help with pain during sex? Pain during intercourse is very common—nearly 3 out of 4 women have pain during intercourse at some time during their lives.

Satisfactory sexual intercourse for couples lasts from 3 to 13 minutes, contrary to popular fantasy about the need for hours of sexual activity, according to a survey of U. Thirty-four, or 68 percent, of the group responded and rated a range of time amounts for sexual intercourse, from penetration of the vagina by the penis until ejaculation, that they considered adequate, desirable, too short and too long. The average therapists' responses defined the ranges of intercourse activity times: "adequate," from minutes; "desirable," from minutes; "too short" from minutes; and "too long" from minutes. Many men and women seem to believe the fantasy model of large penises, rock-hard erections and all-night-long intercourse.