VAGINISMUS

TYPES

• Primary. This is when a female feels discomfort whenever something enters her vagina, such as a penis, or when she cannot insert something into her vagina. It’s also known as permanent vaginismus.
• Secondary. This occurs when a woman has previously had intercourse without experiencing discomfort but now finds it impossible or difficult or to do so. It’s also known as developed vaginismus.

SYMPTOMS

Dyspareunia (painful sex) is frequently the initial indicator of vaginismus. The discomfort comes just with penetration. It is typically gone upon withdrawal. However, this is not always the case. Some women express it as a burning sensation or the sensation of a penis “hitting a wall,” and many women with vaginismus experience difficulty when inserting tampons or undergoing a pelvic test at their physician’s office.

Other vaginismus symptoms involve:

• Being unable to engage in penetrative intercourse or insert a tampon at all
• Fear of physical pain or sex
• Sex drive fading

These symptoms are involuntary, which means a woman cannot control them until she receives therapy.

DIAGNOSIS

Your doctor will evaluate your signs as well as your health and sexual histories. They’ll perform a pelvic check to identify any other health troubles that might be causing pain. You may require therapy until you can withstand the examination, and your physician will operate carefully and softly and discuss what they’re doing.

TREATMENT

Females with vaginismus can learn to regulate and relax the muscles surrounding their vagina by doing exercises. This is known as gradual desensitization, and the goal is to become used to penetration.

First, do Kegel activities by pressing the same muscles that you are using to halt the flow of urine while peeing:

• Muscles should be squeezed.
• Hold them in place for 2 to 10 seconds.
• Muscles should be relaxed.

After several days of completing the Kegel exercises, put one finger, up to roughly the first knuckle joints, within your vagina. Alternatively, perform the movements in a bathtub, where water is a natural lubricant. Begin with one finger and gradually increase to three. You’ll sense your vaginal muscles constricting around your finger, and if you’re uncomfortable, you may remove your finger.