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 close the vagina 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. Everything You Wanted To Know About Painful Sex… But Were Too Embarrassed To Ask
  5. Hope and Her
  6. Intercourse Was Becoming Painful – Ask Dr Jean
  7. International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease: Resource Library – Patients
  8. Medical Advice: Vulval Pain
  9. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  10. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact
  11. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
  12. Urogenital Atrophy Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  13. Vagina: What’s Normal, What’s Not
  14. Vaginal Discomfort
  15. Vaginismus
  16. Vaginismus
  17. Vaginismus
  18. Vaginismus
  19. Vaginismus
  20. Vaginismus Causes: Physical and Non-Physical Sources
  21. Vaginismus Common Symptoms
  22. Vaginismus Diagnosis & Specialists
  23. Vaginismus Diagnosis: Ruling Out Other Conditions
  24. Vaginismus Is Ruining Sex. Research Must Move Beyond Penetration
  25. Vaginismus Symptoms
  26. Vaginismus Treatment: Limbic Reduction Devices + Exercises
  27. Vaginismus Treatment: Resolving the Limbic System Response
  28. Vaginismus Typical Causes
  29. Vaginismus.com
  30. Video Series-2018 – Moisturizers, Lubricants, and Prasterone
  31. Video Series-2019 – Physical Therapy In the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction
  32. Video Series-2019 – Talking To Your Clinician About Sexual Health Concerns
  33. Video Series-2019 – Treatment Options for Arousal and Orgasm Issues
  34. Video Series-2020 – How To Talk To Your Primary Care Clinician About Your Overall Health
  35. Vulva & Vaginal Irritation: Management & Treatment [Video]
  36. Vulva [Image]
  37. Vulva and Vaginal Health: Getting the Right Advice
  38. Vulva, Vagina, Ovaries & Uterus
  39. Vulvovaginal Health
  40. Vulvovaginal Symptoms After Menopause
  41. What Is Vaginismus? Description, Condition, Types
  42. What’s Normal: What Is Normal Vulval & Vaginal Anatomy?
  43. Women’s Sexual Problems
  44. Women’s Wellness: Painful Sex After Menopause
  45. Women’s Wellness: Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Health Problems
  46. World Sexual Health Day 2020, September 11

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: 27 October 2020
  2. Vaginismus. Review Date 19 April 2018. Page Last Updated: 08 October 2020.  MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001487.htm Accessed: 27 October 2020
  3. Vaginismus. Vaginismus.com https://www.vaginismus.com/ Accessed: 27 October 2020
  4. Vaginismus: Key Symptoms. Vaginismus.com https://www.vaginismus.com/ Accessed: 27 October 2020
  5. Vaginismus Causes: Physical and Non-Physical Sources. Hope and Her https://hopeandher.com/pages/vaginismus-causes Accessed: 27 October 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: 27 October 2020
  7. Vaginismus Treatment: Limbic Reduction Devices + Exercises – Treatment Overview. Hope and Her https://www.vaginismus.com/vaginismus-exercises Accessed: 27 October 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: 27 October 2020

Topic Last Updated: 27 October 2020 – Topic Last Reviewed: 27 October 2020
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