When Sex Hurts: A Woman's Guide to Banishing Sexual Pain [Paperback]

Andrew Goldstein MD (Author), Caroline Pukall PhD (Author), Irwin Goldstein MD (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 11, 2011

For the 20 million women who suffer from painful intercourse: the first book to address the multiple causes and the available treatments.

 

Painful sex is a condition that causes embarrassment and silence—often going undiscussed or misdiagnosed; as many as 40 percent of women who suffer from it won’t seek medical care. And most medical professionals are still in the dark when it comes to women’s sexual pain. Now, three leading experts tackle the stereotypes, myths, and realities of sexual pain in this easy-to-understand, accessible guide that will help you get the help you need and deserve. Drs. Goldstein, Pukall, and Goldstein offer answers to your most pressing questions, as well as: 

• Up-to-date information on the more than 20 causes of sexual pain
• How to choose the right doctor—and how to interpret your doctor’s lingo
• Valuable tips for understanding sexual pain, and what can be done about it
• How to rebuild sexual intimacy once the pain is gone

Featuring groundbreaking research and stories from women who’ve also suffered—and recovered—When Sex Hurts provides all of the tools you need to stop hurting and start healing.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Two physicians and one psychologist skillfully tackle a touchy topic and present a complete overview of pain-causing conditions suffered by women, from skin disorders and hormonal changes to inflammation of the lining of the bladder, sexually transmitted diseases, and yeast infections. It�s enough to make a gal swear off sex. The authors give helpful, straightforward advice that�s often easy to follow. For example, they recommend unscented toilet paper for contact dermatitis. They also give some good basic ob/gyn information, such as that the clitoris is basically a female penis. One quibble: there isn�t enough information about sources. It�s hard to believe, for example, that �more than 20 million American women alone will experience painful sex in their lifetime.� If that�s true, though, this informative book should fly off the shelves. --Karen Springen

Review

Cindy Meston, Ph.D., Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, author of Why Women Have Sex

“The most comprehensive, accessible, and illuminating look into women’s sexual pain ever written, packed with up-to-date and invaluable information. When Sex Hurts is a must read for any woman, or partner of a woman, who has experienced painful sex.”

 

Dr. Tim Johnson, Senior Medical Contributor, ABC News

“This is a subject that has been in the dark far too long and this book will help shine a much needed bright light into those shadows.”

 

Yitzchak Binik, Professor of Psychology, McGill University, Director, Sex and Couple Therapy Service, McGill University Health Center
“Finally, an up to date, comprehensive source of information for women suffering from sexual pain. I will recommend this book to my patients.”

 

Alan M. Altman, MD, President, International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), author of: Making Love the Way We Used to...or Better  

“When Sex Hurts should be on the shelf of every gynecologist and nurse practitioner for women’s health. This volume is the consummate reference for a serious problem too often minimized by clinicians because of their lack of knowledge.”

 

Electric Review, January/Febraury/March 2011

“[A] groundbreaking text…each woman who is afflicted must take it upon herself to seek remedial measures. That first step comes in cracking open this book and surveying its information.”

 

Booklist Online, 1/26/11
“Two physicians and one psychologist skillfully tackle a touchy topic and present a complete overview of pain-causing conditions suffered by women.”

InfoDad.com, 2/17/11

“A thoughtful, well-written book that, at its core, provides hope—perhaps the most valuable of all elements of treatment. For that one element alone, When Sex Hurts is a must-have for any woman for whom sex brings pain rather than pleasure.”

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Lifelong Books (January 11, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738213985
• ISBN-13: 978-0738213989
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,159 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Sexual Health > Women's Sexual Health

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative, but more of a guide to help you at the dr's office June 15, 2012

By Diana

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

After reading this book, I feel more aware of what could be causing the problems I've been dealing with for years - but not sure of how to treat it. I was hoping the book would equip the reader with more knowledge of what to do to try to heal herself. As the book acknowledges, many women in this situation, including myself, have gone to numerous doctors with no results. I know I'm not alone in that I don't want to try yet another doctor. The book does give many helpful tips on what to tell your doctor and how to explain what you're experiencing though - since you need to convince them that there is a real problem going on... If I had an endless bankroll and health insurance I would go to a new doctor with renewed confidence that they could actually help me, but if you're looking for advice on what to do yourself, this isn't the book. It did make me feel as if I'm not alone in this and that was nice piece of mind.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hope is in sight! December 31, 2011

By DPage

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a great book for any woman who is experiencing painful sex. Dr. Goldstein breaks down all the possible causes and gives solutions to the problems. Unlike any doctor I have ever talked too. He explains why that is also. It makes me think I'm not being ignored and passed on by another doctor that is either too busy, doesn't care or can't help.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book June 29, 2012

By SassyLady

Format:Paperback

I really enjoyed this book, It goes into so much detail and lets you know all the possible causes and it tells you how to talk to your doctor and working together for the best treatment. It also made me hopeful that I may not have to live with this forever and that there are treatments that are less invasive then surgery that may work. I think anyone suffering from vaginal pain should read this book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally April 24, 2012

By M. Filip

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is a great collective work between three professionals. All too often female vaginal pain is not fully acknowledged. I am about half way through this book, and it has shed more light on the subject then my doctors have. I recommend this book to anyone suffering from pelvic pain. It is not something you should have to live with, and you are not alone. As the book says, "Your pain is real", and don't let anyone tell you any different.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A candle in the dark for women suffering from various forms of sexual pain. February 14, 2012

By brown

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Dr. Goldstein and his associates are the leading authority in disease associated with sexual pain for women. This book details the current approach, backed by medical research, for how to diagnose and treat the various forms of sexual pains women may be experiencing. I've personally spent many hours researching on my own, reading through countless forums and by looking through medical journals online and in libraries for the current research regarding vaginal pain and all of it let me to Dr. Goldstein and this book. This truly is a nearly all-encompassing book for those suffering from this type of ordeal. Equipped with this book I believe many women will be able to overcome and possibly cure themselves of their sexual pain and finally enjoy the sex life they deserved all along.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars You are not alone January 23, 2013

By Customer

Format:Paperback

This book is a MUST read for anyone who has been struggling with this issue for any amount of time. I was in tears when I read it because finally, I am not alone in my problems. This is a very intimate topic so you probably don't have many people you can talk to about it. The book gives you validity that no, you are NOT crazy, and you should seek help. This book helped me figure out what I probably have and it was accurate when I checked it at a specialist. Luckily I found someone within an hour of me that could finally help me after seeing many doctors here in town who didn't have a clue.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars So informative! January 23, 2013

By Jessica

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is so informative. I felt like they were writing about me! Finally someone understood what I was going thru, and now I have options and possible solutions