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 is uncomfortable or painful without explanation, or penetration seems difficult or impossible, it is frequently due to a condition known as vaginismus [vaj-uh-niz-muhs]”.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:
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 two types of vaginismus?
In Vaginismus: What Is Vaginismus? the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) explain:
- Primary — where vaginal penetration has never been achieved
- Secondary — where vaginal penetration was possible but is no longer possible for different reasons”.5
Symptoms in Mature, Sexually Experienced Women
What are symptoms in mature, sexually experienced women?
In Symptoms: The Symptoms of Vaginismus – Symptoms In Mature, Sexually Experienced Women Hope&Her note:

- “Unexplained, ongoing sexual tightness, pain, or discomfort, though sex used to be fine and not an issue. It often follows temporary sexual pain experiences, pelvic/medical issues, and menopause. Typical examples include having ongoing problems following a difficult natural-birth delivery of a child; a urinary tract infection; a yeast infection; an STD; age-related changes in natural lubrication; rape or assault; a pause of many years between spouses and intercourse; or other similar events”.6
Causes
What may cause vaginismus?
In Vaginismus: Causes, last updated 30 June 2023, the JH elaborate on:
- 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…”.7
Treatment
How is vaginismus treated?
In What Is Vaginismus? the ISSM elaborate on:
Treatment often includes the following:
- Sex therapy. Through counseling, women can better understand their own bodies, their sexual response cycle, and…
- 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…”.8
Step-By Step Guide
Is a step-by-step-guide available?
Your Country may have a step by step guide available similar to Hope&Her’s step-by-step guide.
In Treatment: Vaginismus Treatment Hope&Her explain:
The right approach to treatment does not require surgery, needles, drugs, hypnosis, or any highly invasive technique. Proper treatment yields fantastic, reliable results time after time”.9
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 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”.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:
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics A-Z 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
- Age Changes
- Australian and New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society: Patient Information About Vulval Diseases
- BMS TV: Urogenital Atrophy
- Caredownthere.com.au
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- FAQs
- 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: 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
- Pudendal Neuralgia
- Pudendal Neuralgia
- Sex & Sexual Health
- Sexual Healthcare In Your-20s and Beyond
- Supporting A Loved One Through Menopause
- Symptoms
- Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
- Treatment
- Vagina: What’s Typical, What’s Not
- Vaginal Dryness
- Vaginal Dryness After Menopause: How To Treat It?
- Vaginismus
- Vaginismus
- Vaginismus
- Vaginismus
- Vaginismus
- Vaginismus, Dyspareunia and Abuse History: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Vaginismus: What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor?
- Vaginismus: When Should I Call My Doctor?
- 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’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. Last Updated: 30 June 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: 11 August 2023
- Vaginismus. Hope&Her https://hopeandher.com/ Accessed: 11 August 2023
- Vaginismus. Last Updated: 30 June 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: 11 August 2023
- 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: 11 August 2023
- Vaginismus: What Is Vaginismus? Last Updated: 30 June 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: 11 August 2023
- Symptoms: The Symptoms of Vaginismus – Symptoms in Mature, Sexually Experienced Women. Hope&Her https://hopeandher.com/pages/vaginismus-symptoms Accessed: 11 August 2023
- Vaginismus: Cause. Last Updated: 30 June 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: 11 August 2023
- What Is Vaginismus? International Society for Sexual Medicine https://www.issm.info/sexual-health-qa/what-is-vaginismus Accessed: 11 August 2023
- Treatment: Vaginismus Treatment. Hope&Her https://hopeandher.com/pages/vaginismus-treatment Accessed: 11 August 2023
- Vaginismus: What Is Vaginismus? Page Last Reviewed: 10 February 2021. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaginismus/ Accessed: 11 August 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: 11 August 2023