Vaginismus

“Vaginismus is an involuntary contraction of the muscles surrounding the entrance to the vagina, making penetration impossible or painful”.1

Umbrella
What may the Vaginismus Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder
  • Vaginal Spasm
  • Vaginal Tightness
  • Vaginismus

Definition

What is vaginismus?

DotS the definition of vaginismus may vary. The (United States) MedlinePlus’ definition is:

“Vaginismus is a spasm of the muscles surrounding the vagina that occurs against your will. The spasms makes the vagina very narrow and can prevent sexual activity and medical exams”.2

The (United States) Vaginismus.com’s definition is:

“Vaginismus is an involuntary contraction of the muscles surrounding the entrance to the vagina, making penetration impossible or painful”.3

Symptoms

What are the key symptoms of vaginismus?

In Vaginismus: Key Symptoms Vaginismus.com note:

  • “Difficult or impossible penetration, entry pain, uncomfortable insertion of penis
  • Burning or stinging with tightness during sex
  • Difficulty inserting tampons, even after repeated attempts
  • Difficulty undergoing pelvic/gynecological exam with speculum
  • Avoidance of intercourse due to fear, pain, or failure”.4

Cause

What causes vaginismus?

In Vaginismus Causes: Physical and Non-Physical Sources Hope and Her elaborate on:

“Vaginismus is unique because it may result from a combination of physical or non-physical causes, or seem to have none at all”.5

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and vaginismus?

In Vaginal Discomfort: Discomfort Not Directly Related To Menopause – Vaginismus the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) explain:

“It may develop as a result of past sexual abuse, fear of sex, or lack of sexual experience. Vaginismus also may occur for the first time in midlife women as a response to painful intercourse caused by estrogen deficiency and vaginal atrophy”.6

Treatment

How is vaginismus treated?

In Vaginismus Treatment: Limbic Reduction Devices + Exercises – Treatment Overview Hope and Her elaborate on:

Vaginismus

“Effective treatment approaches combine pelvic floor control exercises, insertion or dilation training, pain elimination techniques, transition steps, and exercises designed to help women identify, express and resolve any contributing emotional components”.7

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have vaginismus?

If you think you have vaginismus, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. The NAMS explain:

“Because vaginal discomfort can arise from so many different sources, persistent symptoms of dryness, irritation, burning, itchiness, or pain should be evaluated by a healthcare provider to determine their cause”.8

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to the Vaginismus?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Vaginismus?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

  1. Advice for Women With Vaginismus – Ask Dr Jean
  2. Answering Frequently Asked Questions
  3. Caredownthere.com.au
  4. Current Treatment Options for Postmenopausal Vaginal Atrophy
  5. Experiencing Vaginal Dryness? Here’s What You Need To Know
  6. Hope and Her
  7. How do I deal with vaginal atrophy? — Ask Dr Jean
  8. Intercourse Was Becoming Painful – Ask Dr Jean
  9. International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease: Resource Library – Non Members/Patients
  10. International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health
  11. International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health: Find A Provider
  12. Medical Advice: Vulval Pain
  13. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  14. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science
  15. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
  16. Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health
  17. #LetsDiscuss Vulvovaginal Pain DisordersPatty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health: Guide To Sexual Health Providers
  18. Sex & Sexual Health
  19. Sex Talk: Tips for Better Conversations Around Sex & Sexuality
  20. Sexual Healthcare In Your-20s and Beyond
  21. The Vulva & Vagina – Fact Sheet
  22. Urogenital Atrophy Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  23. Vagina: What’s Normal, What’s Not
  24. Vaginal Discomfort
  25. Vaginismus
  26. Vaginismus
  27. Vaginismus
  28. Vaginismus
  29. Vaginismus
  30. Vaginismus
  31. Vaginismus Causes: Physical and Non-Physical Sources
  32. Vaginismus Common Symptoms
  33. Vaginismus Diagnosis & Specialists
  34. Vaginismus Diagnosis: Ruling Out Other Conditions
  35. Vaginismus Is Ruining Sex. Research Must Move Beyond Penetration
  36. Vaginismus Symptoms: When Penetration Is Difficult or Impossible
  37. Vaginismus Treatment: Limbic Reduction Devices + Exercises
  38. Vaginismus Treatment: Resolving the Limbic System Response
  39. Vaginismus Typical Causes
  40. Vaginismus.com
  41. Vaginismus: What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor?
  42. Video Series-2019 – Physical Therapy In the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction
  43. Video Series-2019 – Talking To Your Clinician About Sexual Health Concerns
  44. Video Series-2020 – How To Talk To Your Primary Care Clinician About Your Overall Health
  45. Video Series-2021 – Common Issues Surrounding Sexuality and Menopause
  46. Video Series-2021 – Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Issues
  47. Vulva & Vaginal Irritation: Management & Treatment [Video]
  48. Vulva [Image]
  49. Vulva and Vaginal Health: Getting the Right Advice
  50. Vulva, Vagina, Ovaries & Uterus
  51. Vulvovaginal Health
  52. Vulvovaginal Symptoms After Menopause
  53. What Is Vaginismus? Description, Condition, Types
  54. What’s Normal: What Is Normal Vulval & Vaginal Anatomy?
  55. When Sex Hurts – Podcast [Vaginismus and Vulvodynia]
  56. When Sex Is Painful
  57. Women’s Health Week: Private Lives [6 – 10 September 2021, Australia] Vaginismus
  58. Women’s Sexual Problems
  59. Women’s Wellness: Painful Sex After Menopause
  60. Women’s Wellness: Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Health Problems
  61. Your Sex Life and the Waves of Change
  62. Your Sexual Health

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Vaginismus. Vaginismus.com https://www.vaginismus.com/ Accessed: 03 August 2021
  2. Vaginismus. Review Date 03 June 2020. Page Last Updated: 02 July 2021.  MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001487.htm Accessed: 03 August 2021
  3. Vaginismus. Vaginismus.com https://www.vaginismus.com/ Accessed: 03 August 2021
  4. Vaginismus: Key Symptoms. Vaginismus.com https://www.vaginismus.com/ Accessed: 03 August 2021
  5. Vaginismus Causes: Physical and Non-Physical Sources. Hope and Her https://hopeandher.com/pages/vaginismus-causes Accessed: 03 August 2021
  6. Vaginal Discomfort: Discomfort Not Directly Related To Menopause – Vaginismus. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/causes-of-sexual-problems/vaginal-discomfort Accessed: 03 August 2021
  7. Vaginismus Treatment: Limbic Reduction Devices + Exercises – Treatment Overview. Hope and Her https://www.vaginismus.com/vaginismus-exercises Accessed: 03 August 2021
  8. Vaginal Discomfort: Discomfort Not Directly Related To Menopause. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/causes-of-sexual-problems/vaginal-discomfort Accessed: 03 August 2021

Topic Last Updated: 08 September 2021 – Topic Last Reviewed: 03 August 2021
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