“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
Cause
What may cause vaginismus?
In Causes of Vaginismus: Causes 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:

“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:
In Vaginismus: What Is Vaginismus? the (United Kingdom] NHS suggest you:
- 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:
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.New or Updated
- Advice for Women With Vaginismus – Ask Dr Jean
- Answering Frequently Asked Questions
- Australian and New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society: Patient Information About Vulval Diseases
- Caredownthere.com.au
- Dr Gail Busby – I Forgot To Ask the Doctor – Episode 9 The Menopause
- Hopeandher.com [Hope & Her]
- How Do I Deal With Vaginal Atrophy? — Ask Dr Jean
- Information for Partners
- International Society for Sexual Medicine: Public
- International Society for Sexual Medicine: Sexual Health Topics
- International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease: Patient Handouts
- International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health: Find A Provider
- 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]
- Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
- Medical Advice: Vulval Pain
- Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
- Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
- Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
- Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Common Conditions Associated With Menopause and Midlife
- Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
- Menopause Ruining Your Sex Life?
- 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
- Navigating Menopause Together: How Partners Can Help
- Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
- Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health
Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health: Guide To Sexual Health Providers
- Perimenopause
- Perimenopause
- Perimenopause – Fact Sheet
- Pudendal Neuralgia
- Pudendal Neuralgia
- Sex & Sexual Health
- Sexual Healthcare In Your-20s and Beyond
- Supporting A Loved One Through Menopause
- The Vulva & Vagina – Fact Sheet
- Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
- Urogenital Atrophy Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Vagina: What’s Typical, What’s Not
- Vaginal Dryness
- Vaginal Dryness After Menopause: How To Treat It?
- Vaginismus
- Vaginismus
- Vaginismus
- Vaginismus
- Vaginismus
- Vaginismus
- Vaginismus Causes: Physical and Non-Physical Sources
- Vaginismus Diagnosis & Specialists
- Vaginismus Diagnosis: Ruling Out Other Conditions
- 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, Dyspareunia and Abuse History: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Vaginismus.com
- Vaginismus: What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor?
- Vaginismus: When Should I Call My Doctor?
- Video Series-2021: Common Issues Surrounding Sexuality and Menopause
- Video Series-2021: Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Issues
- Video Series-2022: Discussing Sexual Health Concerns With Your Health Care Professional
- Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
- Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy
- Vulva & Vaginal Irritation
- Vulva [Image]
- Vulva and Vaginal Health: Getting the Right Advice
- Vulva, Vagina, Ovaries & Uterus
- Vulvodynia & Vestibulodynia
- Vulvodynia [Multiply Languages]
- Vulvovaginal Health
- Vulvovaginal Pain
- What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms
- What Is Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (GPPPD)?
- What Is Vaginismus? Description, Condition, Types
- What’s Normal: What Is Normal Vulval & Vaginal Anatomy?
- When Sex Hurts – Podcast [Vaginismus and Vulvodynia]
- When Sex Is Painful
- Your Sex Life and the Waves of Change
- 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: 01 February 2023
- Vaginismus. Review Date: 19 May 2022. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001487.htm Accessed: 01 February 2023
- Vaginismus. Vaginismus.com https://www.vaginismus.com/ Accessed: 01 February 2023
- Vaginismus: Key Symptoms. Vaginismus.com https://www.vaginismus.com/ Accessed: 01 February 2023
- Causes of Vaginismus: Causes. Hope and Her https://hopeandher.com/pages/vaginismus-causes Accessed: 01 February 2023
- 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 February 2023
- Vaginismus Treatment: Limbic Reduction Devices + Exercises – Treatment Overview. Hope and Her https://www.vaginismus.com/vaginismus-exercises Accessed: 01 February 2023
- 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 February 2023
- Vaginismus: What Is Vaginismus? Page Last Reviewed: 10 February 2021. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaginismus/ Accessed: 01 February 2023
- 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 February 2023