Vaginismus

Vaginismus. “This can happen before or during an attempt
to insert something into the vagina. For example, before
or during sex, when inserting a tampon or sex toy…”.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

Vaginismus

What is vaginismus?

DotS the definition of vaginismus may vary. The (United States) Hope&Her’s definition is:

“When sex or penetration is painful or uncomfortable without explanation it is frequently due to a condition known as vaginismus. Vaginismus is vaginal tightness causing discomfort, burning, pain, penetration problems or complete inability to have intercourse. It may occur at any age, even after enjoying intercourse previously, and most women suffering with it don’t even realize they have it”.2

The (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) definition is:

“Vaginismus is when your pelvic floor muscles involuntarily tighten. These muscles are in the lower third of the vagina. This can happen before or during an attempt to insert something into the vagina. For example, before or during sex, when inserting a tampon or sex toy, or during a vaginal examination”.3

Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (GPPPD)

What is Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (GPPPD)?

DotS the definition of GPPPD may vary. In Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (GPPPD) the International Society for Sexual Medicine’s (ISSM) definition is:

“Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (GPPPD) refers to significant pain and difficulty with penetrative vaginal sex that lasts for at least six months.

GPPPD is actually an umbrella term for two sexual pain disorders: dyspareunia (painful intercourse) and vaginismus (a situation in which the muscles in the vagina contract to the point that penetration is difficult, and sometimes impossible)”.4

Vaginismus Types

What are the two types of vaginismus?

In Vaginismus: What Is Vaginismus? the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) explain:

“Vaginismus is when your pelvic floor muscles involuntarily tighten. There are two types of vaginismus:

  • Primary — where vaginal penetration has never been achieved
  • Secondary — where vaginal penetration was possible but is no longer possible for different reasons”.5

Symptoms

What are common vaginismus symptoms?

In Symptoms: Common Vaginismus Symptoms Hope&Her include:

Vaginismus

  • “Burning or stinging with tightness during sex
  • Difficult or impossible penetration, entry pain, uncomfortable insertion of penis
  • Unconsummated marriage
  • Ongoing sexual discomfort or pain following childbirth, yeast/urinary infections, STDs, hysterectomy, cancer, surgeries, rape, menopause, or other pelvic issues
  • Ongoing sexual pain of unknown origin, with no apparent cause
  • Difficulty inserting tampons or undergoing pelvic/gynecological exams
  • Spasms in other body muscle groups (legs, lower back, etc.) and/or halted breathing during attempts at intercourse
  • Avoidance of sex due to pain and/or failure”.6

Causes

What may cause vaginismus?

In Vaginismus: Causes, last updated 07 December 2023, the JH explain:

“Vaginismus can occur for many reasons. It may be associated with physical factors, such as:

  • Medical conditions (e.g. recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), thrush, persistent pain syndromes, endometriosis)
  • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and ongoing pain after an STI has been treated
  • Vulval skin conditions (e.g. lichen sclerosis)
  • Vulval pain, including changes to the vulval skin and lining of the vagina, which happens at menopause.

Psychological factors may play a role. For example, fear due to trauma during childbirth or surgery, or negative messages about sex.

Fear may also be due to previous experience of:

  • Painful vaginal examinations
  • Painful sex
  • Sexual assault or rape.

Other psychological factors might include:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Relationship problems
  • Feeling self-conscious
  • Fear of intimacy
  • Fear of pregnancy
  • Lack of arousal”.7

Vaginal Atrophy

Is there an association between vaginal atrophy and vaginismus?

In Vaginal Atrophy: When Sex Isn’t What It Used To Be… Atrophy Often Leads To Vaginismus Hope&Her note:

“When vaginal atrophy goes untreated and a woman continues to have intercourse with pain, the vaginal muscles tend to brace themselves and protect the body by tightening up. Over time, the vaginal tightening may become an automatic reaction that persists (vaginismus), even after the original atrophy condition is resolved.

Fortunately, both conditions are treatable. In fact, vaginal atrophy and vaginismus may need to be addressed simultaneously, as it is difficult to resolve one without managing the other”.8

Treatment

How is vaginismus treated?

In What Is Vaginismus? the ISSM elaborate on:

“Fortunately, vaginismus can be treated, and many women go on to have fully satisfying sexual relationships.

Treatment often includes the following:

  • Sex therapy. Through counseling, women can better understand their own bodies, their sexual response cycle, and the mechanics of vaginismus…
  • Pelvic floor physical therapy. In this type of therapy, women learn to control their pelvic floor muscles…
  • Vaginal dilators. Women work with sets of tube-shaped dilators, which are inserted into the vagina. Dilators help…”.9

Treatment Guide

Is a treatment guide available?

Your Country may have a treatment guide available similar to Hope&Her’s in Vaginismus Treatment.

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.

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

“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”.10

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 to 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”.11

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z 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. Australian and New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society: Patient Information
  2. BMS TV: Urogenital Atrophy
  3. Caredownthere.com.au
  4. Causes
  5. Diagnosis
  6. FAQ
  7. Hope&Her
  8. ‘I wanted to have sex but it was physically impossible’: Life With Severe Vaginismus
  9. Information for Partners
  10. International Society for Sexual Medicine: Public
  11. International Society for Sexual Medicine: Sexual Health Topics
  12. International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease: Patient Handouts
  13. International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health: Find A Provider
  14. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Sexual Wellbeing, Intimacy and Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Is the End of Your Sex Life]
  15. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  16. Medical Advice: Vulval Pain
  17. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
  18. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
  19. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  20. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Common Conditions Associated With Menopause and Midlife
  21. Menopause Ruining Your Sex Life?
  22. Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
  23. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  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. VaginismusPatty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health: Guide To Sexual Health Providers
  29. Perimenopause
  30. Perimenopause
  31. Prosayla Supported By ISSWSH [International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health]
  32. Pudendal Neuralgia
  33. Pudendal Neuralgia
  34. Sex & Sexual Health
  35. Sexual Healthcare In Your-20s and Beyond
  36. Sexual Problems and Menopause
  37. Supporting A Loved One Through Menopause
  38. Symptoms
  39. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  40. Treatment
  41. Vagina: What’s Typical, What’s Not
  42. Vaginal Atrophy
  43. Vaginal Dryness
  44. Vaginal Dryness After Menopause: How To Treat It?
  45. Vaginal Pain
  46. Vaginal and Vulval Pain: Know the Different Causes and When To Seek Help – Vaginismus
  47. Vaginismus
  48. Vaginismus
  49. Vaginismus
  50. Vaginismus
  51. Vaginismus
  52. Vaginismus, Dyspareunia and Abuse History: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  53. Vaginismus: What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor?
  54. Vaginismus: When Should I Call My Doctor?
  55. Video Series-2022: Discussing Sexual Health Concerns With Your Health Care Professional
  56. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  57. Video Series-2024: Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit [13 January 2024]
  58. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy
  59. Vulva Irritation
  60. Vulva [Image]
  61. Vulva and Vagina
  62. Vulval and Vaginal Conditions
  63. Vulva, Vagina, Ovaries & Uterus
  64. Vulvodynia & Vestibulodynia
  65. Vulvodynia [Multiply Languages]
  66. Vulvovaginal Health
  67. Vulvovaginal Pain
  68. What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms
  69. What Is Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (GPPPD)?
  70. What’s Normal: What Is Normal Vulval & Vaginal Anatomy?
  71. When Sex Hurts – Podcast [Vaginismus and Vulvodynia]
  72. When Sex Is Painful
  73. Your Sexual Health

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Vaginismus. Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 26 April 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/vulval-vaginal-conditions/vaginismus Accessed: 15 April 2024
  2. Vaginismus. Hope&Her https://hopeandher.com/ Accessed: 15 April 2024
  3. Vaginismus. Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 26 April 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/vulval-vaginal-conditions/vaginismus Accessed: 15 April 2024
  4. Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (GPPPD). International Society for Sexual Medicine https://www.issm.info/sexual-health-qa/what-is-genito-pelvic-pain-penetration-disorder-gpppd Accessed: 15 April 2024
  5. Vaginismus: What Is Vaginismus? Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 26 April 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/vulval-vaginal-conditions/vaginismus Accessed: 15 April 2024
  6. Symptoms: Common Vaginismus Symptoms. Hope&Her https://hopeandher.com/pages/vaginismus-symptoms Accessed: 15 April 2024
  7. Vaginismus: Cause. Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 26 April 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/vulval-vaginal-conditions/vaginismus Accessed: 15 April 2024
  8. Vaginal Atrophy: When Sex Isn’t What It Used To Be… Atrophy Often Leads To Vaginismus. Hope&Her https://hopeandher.com/pages/age-atrophy-vaginismus Accessed: 15 April 2024
  9. What Is Vaginismus? International Society for Sexual Medicine https://www.issm.info/sexual-health-qa/what-is-vaginismus Accessed: 15 April 2024
  10. Vaginismus: What Is Vaginismus? Page Last Reviewed: 10 February 2021. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaginismus/ Accessed: 15 April 2024
  11. Vaginismus: What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor? A Note From Cleveland Clinic. Last Reviewed 28 October 2020. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15723-vaginismus Accessed: 15 April 2024
Topic Last Updated: 15 April 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 15 April 2024

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