Vaginismus, one of the most common disorders among women, occurs as a result of involuntary contraction of the muscles around the entrance to the vagina. Muscle spasm can cause painful sexual intercourse, and in some cases it can make intercourse impossible. Vaginismus, which can be seen in different forms, is mostly observed during sexual intercourse, but sometimes it can also occur during a doctor’s examination and tampon insertion.
What Causes Vaginismus? What are the Symptoms?
Vaginismus, popularly known as inability to have sexual intercourse and fear of sexual intercourse, is an involuntary condition for many women. Although the woman feels sexual desire, intercourse cannot take place, or when it does, pain and pain sensations occur. This is often rooted in inaccurate and unhealthy sexual messages. Factors such as fear of pain during sexual intercourse, fear of pregnancy, sexual abuse, excessive excitement, inadequate sex education, overly conservative education, fear of family, insecurity can lead to vaginismus. Although the symptoms of vaginismus vary from person to person, the general symptoms are as follows:
- Sexual intercourse is painful and very difficult
- Inability or difficulty in switching to different positions during sexual intercourse
- Only part of the penis can enter the vagina during sexual intercourse
- Fear of sexual intercourse, inability to start intercourse
- Inability to spread legs during intercourse
- Inability to insert a tampon into the vagina
- Fear and shyness of gynecological examinations
- Inability to undergo vaginal ultrasound, smear test
What is Vaginismus Treatment?
In order to treat vaginismus, medical and physical conditions that cause pain during sexual intercourse must be eliminated. Sometimes vulvodynia/vestibulodynia, pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID), ovarian cysts, urinary tract infections, vaginal infections, vaginal dryness can also cause pain during sexual intercourse. Eliminating these disorders helps to eliminate pain and helps the woman to relax during intercourse. However, psychotherapy can be used to help the patient overcome their fear, but psychotherapy alone is not a sufficient method. Along with psychotherapy, the patient may be offered exercise, as the disease is caused by involuntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscles. Psychotherapy and sexual education are among the recommended treatment methods for vaginismus.
