The vaginal muscles contract and tighten involuntarily in response to sexual penetration, a gynecological checkup, or tampon insertion.
The narrowing or even closing of the vagina is an entirely unconscious act, as the reflex action of an eye closing when something approaches it. This can cause a high degree of stress and anxiety for many women and their partners as sexual intercourse and gynecological exams are painful or impossible, worsening the condition.
What are the symptoms of vaginismus?
The symptoms of vaginismus are to have sexual intercourse or vaginal penetration without causing pain. The condition is usually detected during adolescence and early adulthood, with menstruation and sexual intercourse.
What are the causes of 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 involuntarily contracting.
Underlying causes may include one or more of the following factors:
- Worrying that your vagina is too small
- Worry that sex will be painful or hurt you
- History of sexual abuse
- Having caused previous damage to the vagina.
- Your first sexual intercourse was painful and/or uncomfortable.
- problems with your partner
- Fear of getting pregnant
What treatments exist for vaginismus?
Treatment for vaginismus depends on the underlying cause. Treatments may include:
- Vaginal dilators: they are a series of cylindrical cones of different sizes that are used in the comfort of your own home so that you gradually get used to inserting something inside your vagina. It can last days or months, and the patient must go at their own pace.
- Pelvic floor exercises: they are recommended together with the previous treatment so that the patient gets used to the sensation of contracting and relaxing the muscles, to be able to voluntarily choose to relax while having a sexual gynecologist.
- This device allows the patient to be informed when she is contracting (in case she does not know it) and get used to the sensation and learn to control it.
- Sexual therapy: Psychological therapy is recommended, especially if the underlying cause is sexual trauma. Dynamic analysis, counseling, or cognitive-behavioral therapies may be used.
- Surgery is necessary in cases where there may have been previous surgical trauma or a blockage causing a narrowing of the vagina. The patient will be given anesthesia, and some tissue will be removed.
