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

Causes

What are the causes of 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.

  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. Experiencing Vaginal Dryness? Here’s What You Need To Know
  6. Hopeandher.com [Hope & Her]
  7. How Do I Deal With Vaginal Atrophy? — Ask Dr Jean
  8. Intercourse Was Becoming Painful – Ask Dr Jean
  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. Medical Advice: Vulval Pain
  15. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
  16. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
  17. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
  18. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  19. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science
  20. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
  21. Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health
  22. #LetsDiscuss Vulvovaginal Pain DisordersPatty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health: Guide To Sexual Health Providers
  23. Pudendal Neuralgia
  24. Pudendal Neuralgia
  25. Sex & Sexual Health
  26. Sexual Healthcare In Your-20s and Beyond
  27. The Vulva & Vagina – Fact Sheet
  28. Urogenital Atrophy Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  29. Vagina: What’s Normal, What’s Not
  30. Vaginismus
  31. Vaginismus
  32. Vaginismus
  33. Vaginismus
  34. Vaginismus
  35. Vaginismus
  36. Vaginismus
  37. Vaginismus Causes: Physical and Non-Physical Sources
  38. Vaginismus Diagnosis & Specialists
  39. Vaginismus Diagnosis: Ruling Out Other Conditions
  40. Vaginismus Symptoms: When Penetration Is Difficult or Impossible
  41. Vaginismus Treatment: Limbic Reduction Devices + Exercises
  42. Vaginismus Treatment: Resolving the Limbic System Response
  43. Vaginismus Typical Causes
  44. Vaginismus, Dyspareunia and Abuse History: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  45. Vaginismus.com
  46. Vaginismus: What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor?
  47. Vaginismus: When Should I Call My Doctor?
  48. Video Series-2019: Physical Therapy In the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction
  49. Video Series-2021: Common Issues Surrounding Sexuality and Menopause
  50. Video Series-2021: Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Issues
  51. Video Series-2022: Discussing Sexual Health Concerns With Your Health Care Professional
  52. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  53. Vulva & Vaginal Irritation: Management & Treatment [Video]
  54. Vulva [Image]
  55. Vulva and Vaginal Health: Getting the Right Advice
  56. Vulva, Vagina, Ovaries & Uterus
  57. Vulvodynia & Vestibulodynia
  58. Vulvodynia [Multiply Languages]
  59. Vulvovaginal Health
  60. Vulvovaginal Pain
  61. Vulvovaginal Symptoms After Menopause
  62. What Is Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (GPPPD)?
  63. What Is Vaginismus? Description, Condition, Types
  64. What’s Normal: What Is Normal Vulval & Vaginal Anatomy?
  65. When Sex Hurts – Podcast [Vaginismus and Vulvodynia]
  66. When Sex Is Painful
  67. Women’s Wellness: Painful Sex After Menopause
  68. Women’s Wellness: Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Health Problems
  69. Your Sex Life and the Waves of Change
  70. Your Sexual Health
  71. Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: Vulvovaginal Atrophy

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 November 2022
  2. Vaginismus. Review Date: 03 June 2020. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001487.htm Accessed: 01 November 2022
  3. Vaginismus. Vaginismus.com https://www.vaginismus.com/ Accessed: 01 November 2022
  4. Vaginismus: Key Symptoms. Vaginismus.com https://www.vaginismus.com/ Accessed: 01 November 2022
  5. Causes of Vaginismus: Causes. Hope and Her https://hopeandher.com/pages/vaginismus-causes Accessed: 01 November 2022
  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 November 2022
  7. Vaginismus Treatment: Limbic Reduction Devices + Exercises – Treatment Overview. Hope and Her https://www.vaginismus.com/vaginismus-exercises Accessed: 01 November 2022
  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 November 2022
  9. Vaginismus: What Is Vaginismus? Page Last Reviewed: 10 February 2021. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaginismus/ Accessed: 01 November 2022
  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 November 2022
Topic Last Updated: 01 November 2022 – Topic Last Reviewed: 01 November 2022

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