Vaginismus

It is an involuntary, unconscious contraction of the pelvic floor muscles around the vagina, causing total or partial closure. This causes pain, burning or discomfort with penetrative sex, when trying to insert a tampon or during a gynaecological examination. It may appear from the patient’s first sexual activity or later after physical or psychological trauma at a given time of life, such as birth, rape, surgery, or simply hormonal changes such as those of menopause.

Causes of vaginismus

They can be physical and psychological. This often confuses the woman experiencing it, because she frequently does not understand why it happens. It is important to know that vaginismus is an unconscious reaction.

Just as when we are hit or see something about to fall on us the body immediately contracts arm, leg, neck or eyelid muscles, if the body associates sex with pain, anxiety or physical discomfort, its reaction in anticipation of that unpleasant moment will be to contract the vaginal muscles, closing it and trying to avoid what will cause pain — in this case penetration. That pain can cause frustration and anxiety that may inhibit desire; sex becomes more and more painful, uncomfortable or unpleasant, and the body therefore reinforces the reflex contraction of the vagina, trying to defend itself and resisting by every physical and psychological means.

Psychological causes such as:

Treatment for vaginismus

Joint work between physiotherapists and psychologists is very important in some pelvic floor dysfunctions, because of the physical and psychological causes of this condition; both specialties are often involved to resolve vaginismus.

The main pelvic floor physiotherapy focus is education in anatomy and exercises to identify pelvic floor muscles, relaxation techniques for those muscles, work with vaginal dilators, and equipment such as radiofrequency to help relax musculature, improve vascularisation and release tension points.

If you have symptoms related to what you have read here, remember that at Clínica Traña we are here to help. Contact us.