Sex File: I feel guilty that we can't have proper sex

My endometriosis means penetrative sex can be very painful

When sex is repeatedly painful, many women can become stuck in a vicious cycle. Anxiety and fear lead to avoidance, which dampens libido and impairs arousal. Picture: iStock

I have endometriosis, which means that penetrative sex can be very painful. My partner is very understanding but the guilt I feel for depriving him of "proper" sex never seems to leave me. How do I get over this?

One in 10 women worldwide has endometriosis, but by the time they get a diagnosis, most have been suffering for years.  It is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, often on the ovaries, fallopian tubes or the pelvic lining, causing a range of symptoms including inflammation, pain, bleeding, bladder and bowel issues, and fatigue. Sexual pain is the third most commonly cited symptom.