Around 15-20 percent of women suffer from vaginismus which means; the inability to have penetrative intercourse although the female partner is aroused and there is no underlying medical or anatomical condition. This difficulty is due to continuous involuntarily contractions of the pelvic and vaginal muscles when attempting to have penetrative intercourse.
Types of vaginismus
There are two types of vaginismus:-
1. Primary vaginismus: This is the female has never been able to enter anything into her vagina from tampons, suppositories, the tip of her finger or a penis (in an attempt) to have penetrative intercourse.
2. Secondary vaginismus: When there has been no problem before but suddenly penetrative intercourse or inserting tampons becomes impossible.
vaginismus causes
The causes of vaginismus are unknown. It is thought to be due to anxiety or fear of having intercourse but it's difficult to evaluate which came first, the anxiety or the vaginismus. In secondary vaginismus sexual trauma could be the cause.
Diagnosis of Vaginismus
Vaginismus is diagnosed by a professional upon hearing your story and carefully conducting a physical examination. Your medical professional will carefully and while guiding you through every step of the examination see if there are any anatomical or medical conditions hindering you from having penetrative intercourse and if present diagnose vaginismus.
Treatment of Vaginismus
The treatment of vaginismus consists of a tailored plan by your sexologist consisting of a series of exercises and some psychological therapy. It is important not to expect results over night it usually takes time for you to adjust mentally and physically to the treatment plan! Another important factor of improving symptoms of vaginismus is an understanding partner by no means should penetrative intercourse be forced! There are many other ways for you both to experience sexual pleasure until the vaginismus symptoms get better allowing penetrative intercourse. It is important as partners to discuss how you could reach such sexual pleasure and if at loss or the subject causes friction seek your sexologist’s advice on how to initiate communication on this matter.
