What is vaginismus?
Vaginismus is an involuntary tension or contraction of the muscles around the vagina.
Vaginismus, or spasm of the muscles around the vagina, occurs when something such as a penis, finger, tampons or medical instruments etc. tries to enter the vagina. Cramps can be mildly uncomfortable or very painful. The vagina is part of the female reproductive system. It connects the lower part of the uterus (uterine cervix) to the outside of the body.
How common is vaginismus?
Experts don’t know how many people have vaginismus. Many people may be too embarrassed to talk about the problem with their health care providers.
Who can get vaginismus?
Symptoms of vaginismus may appear in late adolescence or early adulthood when a woman has sex for the first time. This condition can also occur when a woman tries to insert a tampon for the first time or has a pelvic exam at a healthcare provider’s office.
Some women develop vaginismus later in life. This can happen years later without any problems. Cramping or discomfort may occur at any time during vaginal penetration. Or you may only have them at certain times, such as during sex or pelvic exams.
What are the causes of vaginismus?
Health care experts aren’t sure why some women experience vaginismus. This can cause physical, psychological and sexual problems. Bladder infection, UTI and yeast infection can increase the pain in vaginismus.
Factors that contribute to vaginismus include the following:-
1. Anxiety disturbance.
2. Childbirth injuries, such as vaginal perforation.
3. Pre-surgery.
4. Fear of sex or negative feelings about sex, perhaps due to past sexual abuse, rape, or trauma.
What conditions are similar to vaginismus?
These problems can cause symptoms similar to vaginismus: –
1. Vaginal atrophy:- After menopause, due to lack of estrogen, the vaginal lining becomes thin and dry (vaginal atrophy).
2. Vulvar vestibulitis (excited vestibulodynia) :- This condition causes painful sex (dyspareunia). People may experience pain from initial penetration throughout the experience.
What are the symptoms of vaginismus?
Symptoms of vaginismus include the following:-
1. Discomfort or pain during vaginal penetration.
2. Inability to have sex or undergo pelvic probing due to vaginal muscle spasms or pain.
3. Painful intercourse.
4. If you have pain during sex or pain when inserting a tampon, you should see a doctor. These feelings are not normal.
How is vaginismus diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and your medical and sexual history. A pelvic exam can help rule out other problems or confirm the presence of muscle spasms. Your doctor may apply a topical numbing cream to the outside of the vagina before the exam to make the procedure more comfortable for you.
How is vaginismus managed or treated?
Vaginismus treatment focuses on reducing the reflexes in your muscles that cause them to tense. Treatments also address anxieties or fears that contribute to vaginismus.
Your healthcare provider may recommend one or more of these treatments:
1. Topical therapy:- Topical lidocaine or compounded creams can help with the pain associated with this condition.
2. Pelvic floor physical therapy:- A physical therapist will teach you how to relax your pelvic floor muscles.
3. Vaginal dilator therapy:- Vaginal dilators are tube-shaped devices that come in different sizes. Their primary purpose is to dilate the vagina. People with vaginismus use dilators to be more comfortable and less sensitive to vaginal penetration. Your doctor may recommend applying a topical numbing cream to the outside of the vagina first to make insertion easier.
4. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT):- CBT helps you understand how your thoughts affect your emotions and behavior. It helps in treating anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Is an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
5. Sex therapy:- Trained sex therapists work with individuals and couples to help them find pleasure in their sexual relationships again.
What are the complications of vaginismus?
Vaginismus can affect your sex life and relationship with your partner. This can affect your mental health, causing increased anxiety. If you’re trying to get pregnant, vaginismus can make conceiving more challenging.
How can I prevent vaginismus?
We don’t know what causes some people to develop vaginismus. There is no known way to stop it.
Note, do not take any medicine without doctor’s advice. Self-medication is life-threatening and can lead to serious medical conditions.