Vaginismus Sexual Disorder

Vaginismus Information

Vaginismus is a sexual dysfunction. In Vaginismus disorder primary symptoms are tightness, or difficulty, or inability to allow penetration for intercourse. A woman with this condition experiences spasms in her pelvic muscles that may be strong enough to be quite painful. Vaginismus occur when the vagina is unable to relax and permit the penetration of penis during intercourse when it does not occur, sphincter goes into spasm resulting in the tightening of vagina.

Vaginismus is not common and it can occur in span of time even if a woman had painless and enjoyable life. Vaginismus is very uncommon. It occurs in less than 2% of women in the US.

Causes of Vaginismus

The cause of Vaginismus is often a result of an aversive stimulus associated with penetration. In some cases, the cause cannot be determined. Vaginismus can arise from a variety of factors, either physical or psychological, or from a combination of both. Some causes are -

• Pain in the vagina, which leads to fears of this pain at the next love play and to the woman tightening her pelvic floor muscles
• Fear of pain, the penis, pregnancy or an aversion to the partner.
• Certain norms about sexuality in the education.
• Religious taboos.
• Traumatic experiences like a painful deflowering, assault and rape, sexual abuse or other harmful events

Symptoms of Vaginismus

Some of the more common aversive stimuli are

• traumatic sexual assaults,
• Difficulty or inability to allow vaginal penetration for intercourse
• Vaginal pain with attempts at intercourse
• Vaginal pain during attempted pelvic exam
• painful intercourse and
• traumatic pelvic exam.

Vaginismus Treatment and Medication

Depending on what those factors are, a woman may want to seek counseling. The treatment most often used is an extensive therapy program that combines education and counseling with behavioral exercises. It is also possible to train the pubic muscles to stay relaxed by conditioning the vagina to penetration.

Women's Health