Sex File: I have endometriosis and 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.