Vaginismus

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

Umbrella
What may the Vaginismus Umbrella include?

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

  • Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (GPPPD)
  • 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 painful or impossible”.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 may cause vaginismus?

In Causes of Vaginismus: Causes Hope and Her elaborate on:

“For most women, vaginismus comes as a surprise. Though they are biologically normal, difficulties with penetration or ongoing vaginal tightness and pain seem to start mysteriously and continue repeatedly. Sometimes there is noticeable pain experienced that triggers the initial problem; however, for many, the contributing factors are subtle, and not always identified”.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

In Vaginismus: What Is Vaginismus? the (United Kingdom] NHS suggest you:

“See a GP or go to a sexual health clinic if:

  • You find it hard inserting a tampon into your vagina
  • You struggle with vaginal penetration during sex
  • You feel burning or stinging pain during sex

These are common signs of vaginismus”.9

Who is a GP?

DotS and/or DotC (Depending on the Country) a GP may be a qualified and registered general practitioner, a medical practitioner, a medical doctor or a doctor.

In Vaginismus: What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor? A Note From Cleveland Clinic the (United States] Cleveland Clinic also encourage us the seek help:

“If you experience muscle spasms or pain that makes intercourse uncomfortable or impossible, don’t be embarrassed to talk to your healthcare provider. You don’t have to keep suffering. Many problems, including vaginismus, can cause painful intercourse. Almost all of these problems are treatable. A lot of people see significant improvements in their sex lives and their mental health after vaginismus treatments”.10

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.

New or Updated

  1. Advice for Women With Vaginismus – Ask Dr Jean
  2. Answering Frequently Asked Questions
  3. Australian and New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society: Patient Information About Vulval Diseases
  4. Caredownthere.com.au
  5. Dr Gail Busby – I Forgot To Ask the Doctor – Episode 9 The Menopause
  6. Hopeandher.com [Hope & Her]
  7. How Do I Deal With Vaginal Atrophy? — Ask Dr Jean
  8. Information for Partners
  9. International Society for Sexual Medicine: Public
  10. International Society for Sexual Medicine: Sexual Health Topics
  11. International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease: Patient Handouts
  12. International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health: Find A Provider
  13. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Sexual Wellbeing and Intimacy During and After Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Is the End of Your Sex Life]
  14. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  15. Medical Advice: Vulval Pain
  16. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
  17. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
  18. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  19. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Common Conditions Associated With Menopause and Midlife
  20. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
  21. Menopause Ruining Your Sex Life?
  22. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  23. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science
  24. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
  25. Navigating Menopause Together: How Partners Can Help
  26. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  27. Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health
  28. #LetsDiscuss Vulvovaginal Pain DisordersPatty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health: Guide To Sexual Health Providers
  29. Perimenopause
  30. Perimenopause
  31. Perimenopause – Fact Sheet
  32. Pudendal Neuralgia
  33. Pudendal Neuralgia
  34. Sex & Sexual Health
  35. Sexual Healthcare In Your-20s and Beyond
  36. Supporting A Loved One Through Menopause
  37. The Vulva & Vagina – Fact Sheet
  38. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  39. Urogenital Atrophy Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  40. Vagina: What’s Typical, What’s Not
  41. Vaginal Dryness
  42. Vaginal Dryness After Menopause: How To Treat It?
  43. Vaginismus
  44. Vaginismus
  45. Vaginismus
  46. Vaginismus
  47. Vaginismus
  48. Vaginismus
  49. Vaginismus Causes: Physical and Non-Physical Sources
  50. Vaginismus Diagnosis & Specialists
  51. Vaginismus Diagnosis: Ruling Out Other Conditions
  52. Vaginismus Symptoms: When Penetration Is Difficult or Impossible
  53. Vaginismus Treatment: Limbic Reduction Devices + Exercises
  54. Vaginismus Treatment: Resolving the Limbic System Response
  55. Vaginismus Typical Causes
  56. Vaginismus, Dyspareunia and Abuse History: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  57. Vaginismus.com
  58. Vaginismus: What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor?
  59. Vaginismus: When Should I Call My Doctor?
  60. Video Series-2021: Common Issues Surrounding Sexuality and Menopause
  61. Video Series-2021: Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Issues
  62. Video Series-2022: Discussing Sexual Health Concerns With Your Health Care Professional
  63. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  64. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy
  65. Vulva & Vaginal Irritation
  66. Vulva [Image]
  67. Vulva and Vaginal Health: Getting the Right Advice
  68. Vulva, Vagina, Ovaries & Uterus
  69. Vulvodynia & Vestibulodynia
  70. Vulvodynia [Multiply Languages]
  71. Vulvovaginal Health
  72. Vulvovaginal Pain
  73. What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms
  74. What Is Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (GPPPD)?
  75. What Is Vaginismus? Description, Condition, Types
  76. What’s Normal: What Is Normal Vulval & Vaginal Anatomy?
  77. When Sex Hurts – Podcast [Vaginismus and Vulvodynia]
  78. When Sex Is Painful
  79. Your Sex Life and the Waves of Change
  80. 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: 01 February 2023
  2. Vaginismus. Review Date: 19 May 2022. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001487.htm Accessed: 01 February 2023
  3. Vaginismus. Vaginismus.com https://www.vaginismus.com/ Accessed: 01 February 2023
  4. Vaginismus: Key Symptoms. Vaginismus.com https://www.vaginismus.com/ Accessed: 01 February 2023
  5. Causes of Vaginismus: Causes. Hope and Her https://hopeandher.com/pages/vaginismus-causes Accessed: 01 February 2023
  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: 01 February 2023
  7. Vaginismus Treatment: Limbic Reduction Devices + Exercises – Treatment Overview. Hope and Her https://www.vaginismus.com/vaginismus-exercises Accessed: 01 February 2023
  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: 01 February 2023
  9. Vaginismus: What Is Vaginismus? Page Last Reviewed: 10 February 2021. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaginismus/ Accessed: 01 February 2023
  10. Vaginismus: What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor? A Note From Cleveland Clinic. Last Reviewed 28 October 2020. Cleveland Clinichttps://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15723-vaginismus Accessed: 01 February 2023
Topic Last Updated: 01 February 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 01 February 2023

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