“Vaginismus is vaginal tightness causing discomfort, burning, pain, penetration problems, or complete inability to have intercourse”.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 close the vagina and can prevent sexual activity and medical exams”.2

Vaginismus.com’s definition is:

“Vaginismus is vaginal tightness causing discomfort, burning, pain, penetration problems, or complete inability to have intercourse”.3

Symptoms

What are the main symptoms of vaginismus?

In Vaginismus: Symptoms the MedlinePlus explain:

“The main symptoms are:

  • Difficult or painful vaginal penetration during sex. Vaginal penetration may not be possible
  • Vaginal pain during sexual intercourse or a pelvic exam”.4

Cause

What causes vaginismus?

In Frequently Asked Questions: What Is Vaginismus? Vaginismus.com elaborate on:

“The tightness is actually caused by involuntary contractions of the muscles surrounding the vagina. The woman does not directly control or will the tightness to occur; it is a limbic system reaction to penetration. She may not even have any awareness that the muscle response is causing the tightness or penetration problem. In some cases, vaginismus tightness may begin to cause burning, pain, or stinging during intercourse. In other cases, penetration may be difficult or completely impossible”.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: Training Overview Vaginismus.com elaborate on:

Vaginismus

“Vaginismus is highly treatable. Successful vaginismus treatment through training does not require drugs, surgery, hypnosis, nor any other complex invasive technique. Effective limbic reduction training will combine pelvic floor control exercises, digital penetration and trainer insertions, pain elimination techniques 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. Everything You Wanted To Know About Painful Sex… But Were Too Embarrassed To Ask
  5. Intercourse Was Becoming Painful… | Ask Dr Jean
  6. International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease: Resource Library – Patients
  7. Medical Advice: Vulval Pain
  8. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  9. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
  10. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Tips on Complementary Health Practices
  11. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Understanding Drug-Supplement Interactions
  12. Sexual Health: Good Sex Tips
  13. Vagina: What’s Normal, What’s Not
  14. Vaginal Discomfort
  15. Vaginismus
  16. Vaginismus
  17. Vaginismus
  18. Vaginismus
  19. Vaginismus Common Symptoms
  20. Vaginismus Diagnosis + Specialists
  21. Vaginismus Treatment
  22. Vaginismus Typical Causes
  23. Vaginismus.com
  24. Video Series-2018 – Moisturizers, Lubricants, and Prasterone
  25. Video Series-2019 – Physical Therapy in the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction
  26. Video Series-2019 – Talking To Your Clinician About Sexual Health Concerns
  27. Video Series-2019 – Treatment Options for Arousal and Orgasm Issues
  28. Vulva & Vaginal Irritation: Management & Treatment [Video]
  29. Vulva [Image]
  30. Vulva and Vaginal Health: Getting the Right Advice
  31. Vulva, Vagina, Ovaries & Uterus
  32. Vulvovaginal Health: FAQ
  33. Vulvovaginal Symptoms After Menopause
  34. What’s Normal: What Is Normal Vulval & Vaginal Anatomy?
  35. Women’s Sexual Problems
  36. Women’s Wellness: Painful Sex After Menopause
  37. Women’s Wellness: Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Health Problems

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted above?

You may find the Sources at:

Sources

  1. Frequently Asked Questions: General Questions – What Is Vaginismus? Vaginismus.com https://www.vaginismus.com/faq/general-questions/what-is-vaginismus Accessed: 17 February 2020
  2. Vaginismus. Review Date 19 April 2018. Page Last Updated: 04 February 2020.  MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001487.htm Accessed: 17 February 2020
  3. Frequently Asked Questions: General Questions – What Is Vaginismus? Vaginismus.com https://www.vaginismus.com/faq/general-questions/what-is-vaginismus Accessed: 17 February 2020
  4. Vaginismus: Symptoms. Review Date 19 April 2018. Page Last Updated: 04 February 2020. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001487.htm Accessed: 17 February 2020
  5. Frequently Asked Questions: General Questions – What Is Vaginismus? Vaginismus.com https://www.vaginismus.com/faq/general-questions/what-is-vaginismus Accessed: 17 February 2020
  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: 17 February 2020
  7. Vaginismus Treatment: Training Overview. Vaginismus.com https://www.vaginismus.com/vaginismus-exercises Accessed: 17 February 2020
  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: 17 February 2020
Topic Last Updated:  17 February 2020 – Topic Last Reviewed: 17 February 2020
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