Vaginismus

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:

“Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (GPPPD) refers to significant pain and difficulty with penetrative vaginal sex that lasts for at least six months.

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:

“Vaginismus is when your pelvic floor muscles involuntarily tighten. There are two types of vaginismus:

  • 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:


Vaginismus

  • “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:

“Vaginismus can occur for many reasons. It may be associated with physical factors, such as:

  • 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:

“Fortunately, vaginismus can be treated, and many women go on to have fully satisfying sexual relationships.

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:

“Vaginismus is considered a very resolvable female sexual problem. Studies demonstrate recovery rates approaching 100%. To overcome vaginismus, we publish a dependable, step-by-step guide that uses simple techniques in desensitization, control, and pain elimination.

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:

“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”.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:

“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”.11

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z 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.

New or Updated

  1. Age Changes
  2. Australian and New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society: Patient Information About Vulval Diseases
  3. BMS TV: Urogenital Atrophy
  4. Caredownthere.com.au
  5. Causes
  6. Diagnosis
  7. FAQs
  8. Hope&Her
  9. How Do I Deal With Vaginal Atrophy? — Ask Dr Jean
  10. Information for Partners
  11. International Society for Sexual Medicine: Public
  12. International Society for Sexual Medicine: Sexual Health Topics
  13. International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease: Patient Handouts
  14. International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health: Find A Provider
  15. 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]
  16. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  17. Medical Advice: Vulval Pain
  18. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
  19. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
  20. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  21. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Common Conditions Associated With Menopause and Midlife
  22. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
  23. Menopause Ruining Your Sex Life?
  24. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  25. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
  26. Navigating Menopause Together: How Partners Can Help
  27. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  28. Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health
  29. Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health: Guide To Sexual Health Providers
  30. Perimenopause
  31. #LetsDiscuss Vulvovaginal Pain DisordersPerimenopause
  32. Pudendal Neuralgia
  33. Pudendal Neuralgia
  34. Sex & Sexual Health
  35. Sexual Healthcare In Your-20s and Beyond
  36. Supporting A Loved One Through Menopause
  37. Symptoms
  38. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  39. Treatment
  40. Vagina: What’s Typical, What’s Not
  41. Vaginal Dryness
  42. Vaginal Dryness After Menopause: How To Treat It?
  43. Vaginismus
  44. Vaginismus
  45. Vaginismus
  46. Vaginismus
  47. Vaginismus
  48. Vaginismus, Dyspareunia and Abuse History: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  49. Vaginismus: What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor?
  50. Vaginismus: When Should I Call My Doctor?
  51. Video Series-2022: Discussing Sexual Health Concerns With Your Health Care Professional
  52. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  53. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy
  54. Vulva & Vaginal Irritation
  55. Vulva [Image]
  56. Vulva and Vaginal Health: Getting the Right Advice
  57. Vulva, Vagina, Ovaries & Uterus
  58. Vulvodynia & Vestibulodynia
  59. Vulvodynia [Multiply Languages]
  60. Vulvovaginal Health
  61. Vulvovaginal Pain
  62. What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms
  63. What Is Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (GPPPD)?
  64. What’s Normal: What Is Normal Vulval & Vaginal Anatomy?
  65. When Sex Hurts – Podcast [Vaginismus and Vulvodynia]
  66. When Sex Is Painful
  67. Your Sex Life and the Waves of Change
  68. Your Sexual Health

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. 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
  2. Vaginismus. Hope&Her https://hopeandher.com/ Accessed: 11 August 2023
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. Symptoms: The Symptoms of Vaginismus – Symptoms in Mature, Sexually Experienced Women. Hope&Her https://hopeandher.com/pages/vaginismus-symptoms Accessed: 11 August 2023
  7. 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
  8. What Is Vaginismus? International Society for Sexual Medicine https://www.issm.info/sexual-health-qa/what-is-vaginismus Accessed: 11 August 2023
  9. Treatment: Vaginismus Treatment. Hope&Her https://hopeandher.com/pages/vaginismus-treatment Accessed: 11 August 2023
  10. Vaginismus: What Is Vaginismus? Page Last Reviewed: 10 February 2021. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaginismus/ Accessed: 11 August 2023
  11. 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
Topic Last Updated: 11 August 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 11 August 2023

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