Vaginismus

Table of Contents:

  1. What is vaginismus?
  2. What are its symptoms?
  3. Causes
  4. Treatment

What is vaginismus?

Vaginismus is a condition in which the muscles of the vagina involuntarily contract and tighten in response to sexual penetration, a gynecological examination, or the insertion of a tampon. The tightening or even closing of the vagina is a completely unconscious act, like the reflex action of an eye closing when something approaches it. For many women and their partners this can cause a high degree of stress and anxiety as intercourse and gynecological examinations are painful or impossible, which in turn can make the condition worse.

What are the symptoms of vaginismus?

The symptoms of vaginismus are the inability to have sexual intercourse or perform vaginal penetration without causing pain. The condition is usually detected during adolescence and early adulthood, with the onset of menstruation and sexual intercourse.

Vaginismus symptoms: inability to have sexual intercourse or perform vaginal penetration without causing pain.

What causes vaginismus?

The cause of vaginismus is not the result of a small or narrow vagina. Women with this condition have the same size vagina as other women, but the internal muscles are prone to involuntary contraction. Underlying causes may include one or more of the following factors:

  • Worrying that your vagina is too small.
  • Worrying that sex will be painful or cause you harm
  • History of sexual abuse
  • Previous damage to the vagina, an episiotomy
  • Painful conditions of the vagina or surrounding areas
  • Your first sexual intercourse was painful and/or uncomfortable
  • Problems with your partner
  • Fear of getting pregnant
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What treatments are available for vaginismus?

Treatment for vaginismus depends on the underlying cause. Treatments may include:

  • Vaginal dilators: these are a series of cylindrical cones of different sizes that are used in the comfort of your own home to progressively get you used to inserting something into your vagina. It can take days or months, and the patient must go at their own pace.
  • Pelvic floor exercises: these are recommended in conjunction with the above treatment, so the patient becomes accustomed to the sensation of contracting and relaxing the muscles, with the goal of being able to voluntarily choose to relax while having sex, for example. Sometimes a biofeedback machine can be used with a gynecologist. This device allows the patient to be informed when she is contracting (in case she does not know it) and to get used to the sensation and learn to master it.
  • Sex therapy: Psychological therapy is a recommended option, especially if the underlying cause is sexual trauma. Dynamic analysis, counseling or cognitive-behavioral therapies may be used.
  • Surgery: In cases where there may have been previous surgical trauma, or a blockage causing a narrowing of the vagina, surgery may be necessary. The patient will be given anesthesia and a small amount of tissue will be removed.