Which term refers to painful intercourse?

The term that refers to painful intercourse is dyspareunia. This condition is characterized by discomfort or pain during sexual activity, which can affect both men and women but is more commonly reported by women. It's important to understand that dyspareunia can stem from various causes, including physical issues such as infections, hormonal changes, or underlying medical conditions as well as psychological factors like anxiety or past trauma.

In contrast, menorrhagia refers to abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, and dysmenorrhea is specifically related to pain or cramping associated with menstruation, often experienced prior to or during a menstrual cycle. Vaginismus involves involuntary muscle spasms in the pelvic floor muscles that can make penetration painful or impossible, but it is distinct from dyspareunia as it pertains more to the anticipation or act of penetration itself rather than pain during intercourse that has already been attempted.