What is Vaginismus?

Vaginismus is when a woman’s vaginal muscles squeeze or spasm when something like a tampon or a penis enters them. It can range from being a little bit annoying to being very painful. Vaginismus makes it hard or impossible to be sexual (because the vagina can close up fully), and it can be painful. The signs can be different for each woman.

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Vaginismus Types

Vaginismus comes in two main forms:

  • Primary

This is when a woman has had pain every time something went into her vagina, even her penis (this is called “penetrating sex”), or when she has never been able to put anything into her vagina. It is also called vaginismus for life.

  • Secondary

This is when a woman has had sex in the past without pain, but then it gets hard or even impossible. It’s also known as “grown-up vaginismus.”

Keep reading : How to know if beloved one is affected with vaginismus?

Symptoms

  • Difficulty or inability to penetrate the vagina because the muscles in the vagina have tightened.
    burning or stinging pain and tightness of the vagina if penetrated by a tampon, finger, or penis.
  • Fear of pain
  • Extreme fear of penetration and avoidance of sex.
  • Loss of sexual desire if penetration is tried.
  • Some women can have intercourse, but tightness and pain keep them from orgasming.

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Causes

Vaginismus doesn’t always have a reason. It has been linked to

  • sexual abuse or stress in the past
  • past painful intercourse
  • emotional factors

Some other possible reasons are:

  • fear that the vagina is too small for sexual activity
  • fear of getting pregnant
  • fear of the after-effects of childbirth
  • relationship problems.
  • tiredness or depression

Keep reading : Sexologist in Cape Town

Diagnosis

Your doctor will probably ask

  • when you first noticed a problem
  • how often it happens
  • what seems to trigger it

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Usually, your doctor will also ask you about your sexual past. He or she may ask if you’ve ever been sexually abused or hurt.

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