What is vaginismus? What causes it?

Vaginismus, a common disorder among women, occurs as a result of involuntary contractions of the muscles surrounding the vaginal opening. These muscle spasms can make sexual intercourse painful and, in some cases, impossible. While it can manifest in various forms, vaginismus is most often observed during intercourse, but can sometimes also occur during examinations or tampon insertion.

What causes vaginismus? What are its symptoms?

Vaginismus, commonly known as the inability to have sexual intercourse or fear of sexual intercourse, is an involuntary condition for many women. Although the woman desires sexual intercourse, it is either impossible or causes pain and discomfort. This condition is often rooted in incorrect and unhealthy sexual messages. Factors such as fear of pain during intercourse, fear of pregnancy, sexual abuse, excessive excitement, inadequate sex education, overly conservative upbringing, family fear, and insecurity can all contribute to vaginismus. While the symptoms of vaginismus vary from person to person, the general symptoms are as follows:

• painful and very difficult sexual intercourse
• Inability or difficulty in switching between different positions during sexual intercourse.
• Only a portion of the penis can enter the vagina during sexual intercourse.
• Fear of sexual intercourse, inability to initiate intercourse.
• Inability to spread legs during intercourse
• Inability to insert a tampon into the vagina.
• Fear and hesitation regarding gynecological examinations.
• Inability to undergo vaginal ultrasound, inability to have a smear test.

What is the treatment for vaginismus?

Treating vaginismus requires eliminating underlying medical and physical conditions that cause pain during intercourse. Sometimes, conditions like vulvodynia/vestibulodynia, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ovarian cysts, urinary tract infections, vaginal infections, and vaginal dryness can cause pain during intercourse. Eliminating these underlying conditions helps eliminate the pain and allows the woman to relax during intercourse. Psychotherapy can also be used to help the patient overcome her fears, but psychotherapy alone is not sufficient. Along with psychotherapy, exercises can be recommended, as the condition is caused by involuntary contractions of the pelvic floor muscles. Psychotherapy and sexual education are among the recommended treatment methods for vaginismus.