What Is Vaginismus?

The topic of women's health is something many individuals feel uncomfortable discussing, and unfortunately, this lack of recognition can leave many women suffering. Though there is little awareness about it, vaginismus is a condition affecting thousands of women. This frequently misunderstood condition can be extremely disruptive, and unfortunately, treatment is not always straightforward. Many doctors still are not sure whether it is caused by mental concerns or medical problems. It is essential to raise awareness about vaginismus, so women with the condition can get diagnosed and learn methods for dealing with it. Without treatment, vaginismus can cause a lifetime of discomfort and even result in infertility.

What Is It Exactly?

At its most basic level, vaginismus is simply a sensation of pain and tightness whenever anything enters the vagina. When we get farther into the definition, it turns out vaginismus is an involuntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscles. Vaginismus typically affects the pubococcygeus muscle group, but it can occur in other types of muscles in the area. In the average woman, these muscles can tighten, but they instinctively relax in most situations that require access to the vagina. For women who have vaginismus, these muscles clamp tightly together whenever anything is about to enter the vagina. Women with vaginismus may not be able to have sex, use tampons, or undergo a gynecological exam.

So what are the symptoms? Keep reading to find out.

Symptoms

Not everyone who has vaginismus experiences it in the same way. The only unified symptom is abnormal tightness of the vaginal muscles whenever something tries to enter the vagina. For many women, the tightness is so severe partners describe it as feeling like they have encountered a wall. The tightness tends to cause an unpleasant sensation, ranging from generalized discomfort to severe pain. Some women describe it as a burning or stinging sensation. The pain can be so sudden and severe that some women suffering from vaginismus temporarily stop breathing. Depending on what type of vaginismus a woman has, the pain and tightness can be triggered by any object, or it may not happen in certain situations like a tampon insertion. Some women may begin to anticipate and worry about a bout of vaginismus, causing symptoms to trigger before anything even enters the vagina.

Continue reading to reveal the major causes of this condition now.

Causes

Vaginismus can be caused by a blend of either physical or emotional stressors. Any damage to the vaginal region can cause vaginismus to develop. This includes a urinary tract infection, a yeast infection, childbirth, pelvic surgery, or rough sex. Alterations to the hormones, such as taking a medication or undergoing menopause, may also result in vaginismus. However, there are many situations in which the causes of vaginismus are entirely mental. A woman who feels stressed or nervous at the idea of vaginal penetration may end up with vaginismus. It is often linked to fear of an abusive partner, traumatic events in the past, exposure to sex too early, fear of pregnancy, or anxiety about sexual performance. More and more cases of vaginismus are being linked to religious ideas about sex. Women who grew up being told to save themselves for marriage may discover they have vaginismus after they get married.

Continue reading to learn about secondary vaginismus next.

Secondary Vaginismus

Most women with vaginismus have primary vaginismus. This type presents in a typical way where pain and tightness are always present. Women with primary vaginismus typically notice it the very first time they try to have sex or use a tampon. A rarer version of this condition is secondary vaginismus, and women with this condition have not always had vaginal tightness and discomfort. People who get this diagnosis have already had normal sexual function. They may be able to have sex without discomfort for years before spontaneously developing vaginismus. Typically, secondary vaginismus is caused by a specific problem like surgery, infection, childbirth, or trauma. The secondary version of vaginismus can happen at any time, and it may go away on its own.

Continue reading to reveal the treatments for this condition now.

Treatments

Treatments for vaginismus rely on a combination of medical interventions and mental health counseling. In cases where the underlying cause seems to be a mental block due to seeing sex as scary or shameful, it may be beneficial to get counseling to promote a healthier attitude towards sex. If the vaginismus is due to an infection or physical injury in the area, it is important to treat the physical problem as soon as possible. There are also many types of exercises and physical therapy that help to reduce tightness. Women can learn to practice Kegels and other pelvic floor muscle exercises to gain better control of these muscles. A doctor may recommend gradual exercises designed to help a woman feel comfortable with penetration. These include touching the area outside the vagina and moving closer to the vagina each day. Once a woman can touch the vagina without pain, exercises move on to dilation training, which involves inserting progressively larger dilators. These treatments can eventually allow a woman to have penetrative intercourse without pain.