What are the ICD‑10 codes for dyspareunia and ulcerative colitis?

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Last updated: September 22, 2026 • View editorial policy

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ICD-10 Codes for Dyspareunia Associated with Ulcerative Colitis

For dyspareunia associated with ulcerative colitis, you should code both conditions separately: N94.10 (unspecified dyspareunia) or N94.19 (other specified dyspareunia) for the sexual pain, and K51.90 (ulcerative colitis, unspecified) or the appropriate specific UC subtype code (K51.00-K51.919) based on disease extent and severity.

Coding Structure

Dyspareunia Codes

  • N94.10 - Dyspareunia, unspecified
  • N94.19 - Other specified dyspareunia

Ulcerative Colitis Codes

The UC coding requires specificity based on disease extent and complications:

By Disease Extent:

  • K51.00-K51.019 - Ulcerative (chronic) pancolitis
  • K51.20-K51.219 - Ulcerative (chronic) proctitis
  • K51.30-K51.319 - Ulcerative (chronic) rectosigmoiditis
  • K51.40-K51.419 - Inflammatory polyps of colon
  • K51.50-K51.519 - Left-sided colitis
  • K51.80-K51.819 - Other ulcerative colitis
  • K51.90-K51.919 - Ulcerative colitis, unspecified

Fifth Digit Specificity (for each category above):

  • .0 - Without complications
  • .1 - With complications (requires sixth digit)
    • .11 - With rectal bleeding
    • .12 - With intestinal obstruction
    • .13 - With fistula
    • .14 - With abscess
    • .18 - With other complication
    • .19 - With unspecified complications

Clinical Context

While the provided guidelines 1, 2, 1 extensively cover UC management including disease classification by extent (proctitis, left-sided colitis, extensive colitis) 2, they do not specifically address dyspareunia as a complication or associated symptom. The guidelines focus on gastrointestinal symptoms, extraintestinal manifestations (joint, skin, eye symptoms), and disease severity assessment 2, 1.

Important Coding Considerations:

  • Sequence the codes based on the reason for the encounter - if the visit is primarily for dyspareunia management, code N94.1x first; if primarily for UC management, code K51.xx first
  • Use the most specific UC code available based on colonoscopy findings and disease extent, as this impacts treatment decisions 2
  • Document the clinical relationship between the two conditions in the medical record, particularly if pelvic inflammation, perianal disease, or UC-related complications are contributing to the dyspareunia
  • Consider additional codes if specific complications exist (e.g., perianal fistula, abscess) that may be mechanistically related to the dyspareunia

The accuracy of ICD-10 coding for UC subtypes has been validated at 97-98% for distinguishing UC from Crohn's disease 3, making these codes reliable for epidemiological tracking and clinical documentation.

References

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.