What is Vaginismus?
Vaginismus is defined as persistent or recurrent difficulties of a woman to allow vaginal entry of a penis, finger and/or any object, despite her expressed wish to do so.
This is attributed to involuntary tightening of muscles around the vagina during attempted intercourse, when touching the vagina, or during tampon insertion or vaginal examination. This unpleasant sensation makes it difficult for couples to have pain-free intercourse, which affects plans for conception.
There are two types of vaginismus:
Vaginismus in women who have never achieved pain-free vaginal penetration is termed as “Primary Vaginismus”.
“Secondary Vaginismus” applies to a woman who has experienced non-painful intercourse in the past but reports of vaginal penetration difficulty subsequently.
Causes
The cause of vaginismus is unknown. It is, however, often associated with the following:
Lack of sexual knowledge
Negative sexual views
Fear and anxiety issues (hymen state, penis being too big, of the thought of something penetrating),
Strict sexual upbringing,
Religious influences
Traumatic sexual experiences.
Secondary vaginismus may develop in some women after childbirth, post gynaecological surgery or treatment, or after menopause.
Symptoms
Symptoms of vaginismus vary in women. Women may report one or more of the following:
Pain or discomfort during attempt of penetrative intercourse
Fear and anxiety with vaginal examination due to anticipation of pain
Difficulty with using tampon
Partner has difficulty finding the vaginal opening or feels like he is “hitting a wall” during attempted penetration
Is Vaginismus Treatable?
Yes! Women living with vaginismus should not suffer in silence. There have been several studies showing vaginismus can be successfully treated with conservative management.
A Women’s Health Physiotherapist will be able to guide you through your recovery by developing awareness, regaining control of your pelvic floor muscles, improve mobility, and overcome pain and anxiety of vaginal penetration.
Physiotherapy management will involve a combination of the following techniques:
Patient education
Relaxation exercises
Desensitization therapy
Pelvic floor control exercises
Manual therapy techniques
Dilation training
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What can I expect from my first consultation for vaginismus?
You will undergo an assessment that includes not only your medical history but also a comprehensive sexological history. A vaginal assessment within your comfort limits will be performed to identify the causes of the issue.
2.What does pelvic physiotherapy vaginismus treatment involve?
During the session, you will learn more about the female genitalia and muscular function. Depending on the individual, we may recommend a range of interventions such as perineal massage, dilator training, and the use of dilators to gradually introduce normal sensation to the pelvic floor, which helps with penetration and breathing techniques. Based on the person’s goals and exam findings, We will also recommend a treatment plan with a timeline and a purpose for subsequent follow-ups, based on your goals and exam findings.
3.How many sessions are required?
For vaginismus or dyspareunia, we typically expect to review a person 4-5 times (on average) over a 2-3 month timescale. This varies from person to person depending on many factors, but we would expect to see a fifty percent improvement over 4 weeks.
Do not be embarrassed or suffer from your condition any further. Our Women’s Health Physiotherapists are here to help! Feel free to contact us at 84813151 for more information or to arrange an appointment.
