“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 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 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:
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:
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:
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.- Advice for Women With Vaginismus – Ask Dr Jean
- Answering Frequently Asked Questions
- Caredownthere.com.au
- Current Treatment Options for Postmenopausal Vaginal Atrophy
- Experiencing Vaginal Dryness? Here’s What You Need To Know
- Hope and Her
- How do I deal with vaginal atrophy? — Ask Dr Jean
- Intercourse Was Becoming Painful – Ask Dr Jean
- International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease: Resource Library – Non Members/Patients
- International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health
- International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health: Find A Provider
- Medical Advice: Vulval Pain
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
- Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health
Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health: Guide To Sexual Health Providers- The Vulva & Vagina – Fact Sheet
- Urogenital Atrophy Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Vagina: What’s Normal, What’s Not
- Vaginal Discomfort
- Vaginismus
- Vaginismus
- Vaginismus
- Vaginismus
- Vaginismus
- Vaginismus
- Vaginismus Causes: Physical and Non-Physical Sources
- Vaginismus Common Symptoms
- Vaginismus Diagnosis & Specialists
- Vaginismus Diagnosis: Ruling Out Other Conditions
- Vaginismus Is Ruining Sex. Research Must Move Beyond Penetration
- Vaginismus Symptoms: When Penetration Is Difficult or Impossible
- Vaginismus Treatment: Limbic Reduction Devices + Exercises
- Vaginismus Treatment: Resolving the Limbic System Response
- Vaginismus Typical Causes
- Vaginismus.com
- Vaginismus: What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor?
- Video Series-2019 – Physical Therapy In the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction
- Video Series-2019 – Talking To Your Clinician About Sexual Health Concerns
- Video Series-2020 – How To Talk To Your Primary Care Clinician About Your Overall Health
- Video Series-2021 – Common Issues Surrounding Sexuality and Menopause
- Video Series-2021 – Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Issues
- Vulva & Vaginal Irritation: Management & Treatment [Video]
- Vulva [Image]
- Vulva and Vaginal Health: Getting the Right Advice
- Vulva, Vagina, Ovaries & Uterus
- Vulvovaginal Health
- Vulvovaginal Symptoms After Menopause
- What Is Vaginismus? Description, Condition, Types
- What’s Normal: What Is Normal Vulval & Vaginal Anatomy?
- When Sex Is Painful
- Women’s Sexual Problems
- Women’s Wellness: Painful Sex After Menopause
- Women’s Wellness: Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Health Problems
- Your Sexual Health
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- Vaginismus. Vaginismus.com https://www.vaginismus.com/ Accessed: 10 May 2021
- Vaginismus. Review Date 03 June 2020. Page Last Updated: 04 May 2021. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001487.htm Accessed: 10 May 2021
- Vaginismus. Vaginismus.com https://www.vaginismus.com/ Accessed: 10 May 2021
- Vaginismus: Key Symptoms. Vaginismus.com https://www.vaginismus.com/ Accessed: 10 May 2021
- Vaginismus Causes: Physical and Non-Physical Sources. Hope and Her https://hopeandher.com/pages/vaginismus-causes Accessed: 10 May 2021
- 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: 10 May 2021
- Vaginismus Treatment: Limbic Reduction Devices + Exercises – Treatment Overview. Hope and Her https://www.vaginismus.com/vaginismus-exercises Accessed: 10 May 2021
- 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: 10 May 2021
Topic Last Updated: 10 May 2021 – Topic Last Reviewed: 10 May 2021
