Vaginismus

The involuntary tensing or contracting of muscles around the vagina. It can make intercourse painful (dyspareunia)

Vaginismus is an involuntary tensing of the vagina. People experience it at the start of sex, while inserting a tampon or while getting a pelvic exam. Vaginismus can make intercourse painful (dyspareunia)

Symptoms

The severity of vaginismus varies between women. In all cases, constriction of the vagina makes penetration difficult or impossible. Women with this condition can’t manage or stop the contractions of your vaginal muscles. The symptoms they experience include:

  • Discomfort or pain during vaginal penetration
  • Inability to have sex or have a pelvic exam due to vaginal muscle spasms or pain
  • Painful intercourse
  • Fear of pain or sex
  • Loss of sexual desire

Prevalence

Experts don’t know how prevalent vaginismus. This is partly because many people may be too embarrassed to talk about the problem with their healthcare providers. However, vaginismus tends to appear: -During the late teen years or early adulthood when a person has sex for the first time. -When a person tries to insert a tampon or has a pelvic exam at a healthcare provider’s office. Some women develop vaginismus later in life.

Prognosis

For many people with vaginismus, treatment is effective in eliminating the problem. However, effective treatment takes time, so patience will be needed. It is important to keep in mind that it’s possible to have fulfilling and pleasurable sexual interactions by doing other things that don’t trigger vaginismus.

When to seek help

Treatment

Treatment options are:  

  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: targeted at eliminating the erroneous beliefs and the vaginal spasms. Therapy involves identifying faulty beliefs and educating the woman and her partner regarding normal sexual anatomy and physiology.
  • Sex Therapy: Trained sex therapists work with individuals and couples to help them find pleasure again in their sexual relationships.
  • Topical Therapy: Topical lidocaine or compounded creams may help with the pain associated with this condition.
  • Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: A physical therapist will teach you how to relax your pelvic floor muscles.
  • Vaginal spasms are treated with vaginal muscle exercises and progressive vaginal dilation.