Vaginismus: A Quiet Storm

TheCommuter, BSN, RN

Vaginismus is a medical term that refers to involuntary lady partsl tightness when any type of penetration is attempted. The condition may render all forms of penetration impossible or extremely painful, including the insertion of tampons, sexual intercourse, or routine gynecological examinations.

The pubococcygeus muscle, better known as the pelvic floor muscle that surrounds the lady parts, involuntarily tenses and spasms without notice. This involuntary muscular response results in excessive tightness that may prevent penetration in the most extreme cases. The woman afflicted with vaginismus has no voluntary control over the spasm of her pelvic floor muscles.

Two distinctly different types of vaginismus exist. Primary vaginismus refers to lady partsl tightness that is so intense that a woman has never experienced pain-free sexual intercourse in her lifetime. Many females with primary vaginismus have never been able to undergo routine pelvic examinations, wear tampons, or insert menstrual cups or lady partsl suppositories.

Other women experience emotional torment because they have been physically unable to have intercourse or consummate their relationships with their significant others. Secondary vaginismus refers to extreme lady partsl tightness that suddenly occurs in females who were regularly able to achieve problem-free penetration in the past. Secondary vaginismus sometimes occurs during menopause, after traumatic childbirth, after a surgical procedure, or as a psychological response to a sexual assault.

Fortunately, several treatment modalities are available to treat vaginismus. The exact treatment option for vaginismus is heavily dependent upon the specific reason that the patient developed the condition.

According to the Vaginismus website (2012), effective treatment approaches combine pelvic floor control exercises, insertion or dilation training, pain elimination techniques, transition steps, and exercises designed to help women identify, express and resolve any contributing emotional components.

The woman afflicted with vaginismus may choose to initiate treatment within the privacy of her own home, or she may consult with a health care provider who is knowledgeable about the condition. In addition, psychological issues may arise when a woman suffers from vaginismus, so seeking the help of a sex therapist or other mental health professional may greatly benefit these types of patients.

Although the worldwide incidence of vaginismus is thought to be between 1 percent and 17 percent, the true prevalence is not yet known due to the lack of available data. In addition, it is believed that many women who have the condition never seek treatment due to shame, mortification, lack of knowledge, or embarrassment. However, with treatment options available, women around the world no longer need to suffer in silence.

RESOURCES

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