What is vaginismus? Causes, symptoms and treatment methods** **Vaginismus disorder** is one of the common sexual problems among women that causes involuntary contraction of vaginal muscles. This problem can cause pain and discomfort when having sex, using tampons, or doing pelvic exams. Many women do not talk to the doctor about this problem due to embarrassment or ignorance. For this reason, accurate statistics of the prevalence of vaginismus are not available. However, this disorder can cause serious challenges in a person's marital life and mental health, because the fear of having sex or undergoing medical examinations affects the quality of life. Failure to treat vaginismus can not only cause mental problems, but may also lead to physical discomfort. For this reason, in this article from the Psychology of Victory website, we will examine the causes, symptoms and treatment methods of this disorder.

What is vaginismus? Vaginismus is a condition in which the muscles around the vagina contract involuntarily against the entry of any foreign object, including the male penis. This disorder, which is included in the category of women's sexual problems, can make sex difficult and even painful for a person. In addition to affecting marital relationships, these involuntary contractions may also make it difficult to perform medical examinations such as uterine examinations and the use of menstrual tampons. Types of vaginismus Vaginismus is divided into two main types: - ### **primary vaginismus** A woman experiences vaginal contractions from her first sexual experience and faces obstacles during penetration. This condition may cause sexual intercourse to be incomplete. - ### **secondary vaginismus** - After a period of successful sex, a woman experiences pain and contractions during penetration due to reasons such as infection, mental problems or marital issues. What are the symptoms of vaginismus? The symptoms of vaginismus can be different depending on the person, but **spasm** or **involuntary contraction** of the vaginal muscles is one of its most important symptoms. The intensity of these contractions also varies between women. In this condition, the person has no control over these contractions, which leads to painful intercourse (dysparonia) and burning. These symptoms may appear not only during sex, but also when using a tampon or during a medical examination. In more severe cases, the pain can be severe enough to cause shortness of breath. The amount of pain varies from mild discomfort to severe and unbearable pain. Anxiety caused by unsuccessful sexual experiences may lead some women to alternative methods such as oral or anal sex, which can carry serious risks such as contracting sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. For this reason, timely treatment of vaginismus is very important. What is the cause of vaginismus? Doctors still do not know exactly what causes vaginismus or involuntary contraction of the vagina. However, this disorder is usually associated with anxiety or fear of sex. It is not yet clear whether anxiety causes vaginismus or vice versa. Some women experience contractions in all situations, while others only experience problems in situations such as sex, using a tampon, or having an exam. Common causes of vaginismus include the following: - Fear and negative experience of sex (trauma or rape) - Depression - Fear of pregnancy - Fear of penetration - Anxiety (which can be both a cause and a consequence) - High sensitivity of the nerves of the vaginal opening - Hormonal changes during menopause - Painful vaginal infections - Not being mentally and emotionally ready for a relationship Diseases such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease - Insufficient stimulation and vaginal dryness - Side effects of some drugs - Injury caused by childbirth or episiotomy - Experience in pelvic surgery For the effective treatment of vaginismus, the main cause must be identified first and then the treatment should be started according to the individual's condition. False beliefs about vaginismus ### **"Women with vaginismus do not have sexual desire!"** is wrong These women have a natural desire for sex, but they avoid it because of the pain during intercourse. ### **"Forced sex is healing!"** On the contrary, it makes the anxiety more and the problem more intense. It requires scientific treatment and patience. ### **"Alcohol or provocative movies will solve the problem!"** no Vaginismus is treatable with specialized treatment and exercises provided by a sex therapist. Treatment of vaginismus The good news is that vaginismus is a **treatable** disorder. Combined treatment methods have made more than 99% of patients recover. Treatment usually consists of two main parts: ### **Physical Therapy** Using rubber or glass dilators to practice the gradual opening of the vagina. These exercises are done both in the office and at home. ### **Psychological therapy** Counseling with a sex therapist to reduce anxiety and check effective psychological factors. These meetings can include improving the relationship with your spouse, resolving conflicts, and strengthening mental preparation. In some cases, complementary treatments such as the use of lubricating gels or psychotherapy are suggested. Although the treatment of vaginismus may be time-consuming, **spouse support** and **mutual understanding** make the treatment process faster and more effective. Uncertain methods such as Botox injection or anesthesia should be avoided, because they have a temporary effect and can complicate marital relations.

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