Part of my routine history-taking with patients is to ask about their sex life. I ask about number and gender of partners, use of birth control, past HIV testing. And I always ask about sex itself--if it's painful or causing any concerns. Many of my patients, even on their first visit with me, report some kind of discomfort with sex, whether it's along the vulva (vulvodynia) or with deep penetration (from many causes).

Sometimes it may even prevent sex from happening altogether (vaginismus). Most women are embarrassed to bring it up, but the fact is, nearly two out of three of us will have pain during sex at some point in our lives. When I share that stat with patients, they're usually shocked that other women share their problem. I guess it's not exactly common brunch conversation.

And yet all of a sudden, vulvodynia is everywhere--women's magazines, television shows, even a bonafide vulvodynia awareness campaign. What caused this condition to pass the tipping point into national consciousness? Don't get me wrong--I'm thrilled that Tyra et al are bringing up such an important subject. And painful sex is even more painful if you think you're alone. But why did it take so long for all of us to start talking about it? If 15 percent of men were experiencing problems with sex, you know there'd be national attention and treatment by now. (Oh that's right, there is.) Better late than never for pain parity--I hope that more women will now feel comfortable talking to their gyno about their sex concerns. Has your doc ever asked you about pain and sex?  Would you feel comfortable talking to her about it?