Do you have vaginismus?!
Question:
Do you have vaginismus?
Someone thought that I had this condition because I'm scared of vaginal penetration....I've never used a tampon before either because I'm scared of the pain as well.
Do any of you have this condition? How did you overcome it?
Answers:
Vaginismus refers to the involuntary spasm vaginal wall and pelvic floor muscles. Specifically, the perineal and levator muscles. There are two forms of vaginismus, primary and secondary.
Primary vaginismus is believed related to psychogenic issues, such as in your instance you refer to a fear of potential pain with penetration.
Secondary vaginismus is a condition which is the result of pain originating in or around the vagina. It is characterized by hypertonicity or spasm of the pelvic floor muscles, a reduced ability to contract the pelvic floor muscles, a reduced ability as well to relax the pelvic floor muscles and incresed muscular instability of the pelvic floor muscles at rest.
Vaginismus falls under the general category of dyspareunia in gynecologic terms. This means genital pain felt before, during or after sexual intercourse.
Primary vaginismus is treated through desensitization techniques that put a woman in control of relaxing the muscles of her pelvic floor. Kegel exercises and other techniques under the care of a physician are utilized to treat this.
Some sources recommend sex therapy, use of benzodiazepines, hypnotherapy, and Botulinum toxin injections but NONE of these have been assessed in well controlled prospective studies. Pelvic floor motor instability is treated with physical therapy and biofeedback.
Secondary vaginismus, due primarily to vestibulodynia (pain and tenderness of the entrance and initial section of the vaginal canal), is evaluated and treated when the cause is identified.
The important take home point is if you think you might have this it is best evaluated by a gynecologist and appropriate treatment recommendations discussed with you. Gynecologists are specifically trained to diagnose and treat this condition.
DrEarp