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.
Sexual dysfunction - vaginismus
Vaginismus is a sexual problem. It has several possible causes, including:
Sometimes no cause can be found.
Vaginismus is an uncommon condition.
The main symptoms are:
Women with vaginismus often become anxious about sexual intercourse. This does not mean they cannot become sexually aroused. Many women with this problem can have orgasms when the clitoris is stimulated.
A health care team made up of a gynecologist, physical therapist, and sexual counselor can help with treatment.
Treatment involves a combination of physical therapy, education, counseling, and exercises such as pelvic floor muscle contraction and relaxation (Kegel exercises).
Your provider may recommend injection of medicines to help relax the vaginal muscles.
Vaginal dilation exercises using plastic dilators are recommended. This method helps to make the person less sensitive to vaginal penetration. These exercises should be done under the direction of a sex therapist, physical therapist, or other health care provider. Therapy should involve the partner and can slowly lead to more intimate contact. Intercourse may ultimately be possible.
You will get information from your provider. Topics may include:
Moniek Ter Kuile practices in Leiden, Netherlands. Ter Kuile is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Vaginismus. They are also highly rated in 2 other conditions, according to our data. Their top areas of expertise are Vaginismus, Cervical Cancer, Infertility, Hysterectomy, and Mastectomy.
Suleyman Eserdag practices in Istanbul, Turkey. Eserdag is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Vaginismus. He is also highly rated in 2 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Vaginismus, Lichen Simplex Chronicus, Delayed Ejaculation, and Vulvodynia.
Women who are treated by a sex therapy specialist can very often overcome this problem.
Summary: Rape is a common cause of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among women, as around 30-50% will develop PTSD in the aftermath of rape. A modified protocol based on Prolonged Exposure Therapy (mPE), has been developed, consisting of three to five once or twice weekly 60 minutes sessions, and studies indicate that if implemented early after rape, mPE may prevent the development of PTSD. The aim o...
Summary: The acceptability of vulvar vibration therapy has been evaluated in women with vulvodynia, and found to be acceptable, however has not been assessed in women with a primary complaint of vaginismus. This proposed study looks at the feasibility and acceptability of using clitoral vibration therapy, alongside current therapy, for women with vaginismus. It is likely that many, if not most, of these wo...
Published Date: April 19, 2022
Published By: John D. Jacobson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Cowley DS, Burke A, Lentz GM. Additional considerations in gynecologic care. In: Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, Lobo RA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 9.
Kocjancic E, Iacovelli V, Acar O. Sexual function and dysfunction in the female. Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 74.
Swerdloff RS, Wang C. Sexual dysfunction. In: Jameson JL, De Groot LJ, de Kretser DM, et al, eds. Endocrinology: Adult and Pediatric. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 123.