Vaginismus Problems — Causes and Treatment
We didn’t even know what vaginismus meant, but now what?
Can we say being deprived of the most beautiful feeling in the world?
What is Vaginismus?
According to Masters and Johnson, vaginismus is a psychosomatic disorder that makes sexual intercourse difficult or even impossible. It is a reaction to an imaginary or real situation or a situation that is felt completely internally and causes an involuntary reflex. Even if the woman with vaginismus wants it very much, she cannot perform sexual intercourse or performs it very difficult.
Sexual intercourse is called vaginal and penile penetration. The pelvic muscles in the lower 1/3 of the vagina contract involuntarily and do not allow sexual intercourse. This contraction narrows the vaginal opening in women and causes sexual intercourse to be perceived as painful. Women who experience this condition do not have problems with sexual desire and making love with their partners as long as there is no sexual intercourse. But when the moment of intercourse comes, they think that there is a magical wall there and that it is insurmountable. What women feel when they try this union; It is described as a very severe pain, a feeling of tearing or a feeling that it will be pierced, a feeling of needle pricking, a feeling that there is a wall.
In women with vaginismus, contraction during sexual intercourse can be seen not only in the pelvic muscles but also in other areas. For example; hip contraction, abdominal contraction, back contraction. Sometimes even fainting may occur. The most important feature of all these contractions is that they are beyond the control of the person.
Vaginismus cannot be diagnosed easily. A gynecological examination should be performed and vaginismus should be diagnosed after this examination. According to Masters and Johnson, the examination reactions of women with vaginismus are very typical. When the gynecologist approaches carefully to examine the external genitalia, the woman slides backwards on the gynecology table and clenches her buttocks. They perceive a great threat to the vagina and involuntarily perform these movements.
Vaginismus is classified as a specific female sexual dysfunction in the DSM-IV-TR. Accordingly, there are the most basic diagnostic criteria for vaginismus. Firstly, there is a recurrent or persistent involuntary spasm of the muscles in the outer third of the vagina that prevents sexual intercourse; secondly, this disorder causes significant distress or difficulties in interpersonal relationships. Thirdly, it cannot be explained by any other disorder.
Vaginismus is divided into primary, secondary and tertiary. Primary vaginismus occurs from the woman’s first sexual experience; secondary vaginismus is when the problem occurs later. In another case, situational vaginismus is called as occurring in some cases and not occurring in some cases. The treatment plan may vary according to these types.
Vaginismus is not a condition that the woman reveals willingly. In this case, the woman cannot enter sexual intercourse even if she wants to do something. Vaginismus develops worry, anxiety, panic and fear because of the very wrong beliefs and information taught. These emotions cause involuntary contraction of the muscles and therefore do not allow sexual intercourse. The woman with vaginismus perceives that there is a big and thick wall there and thinks that the union will be painful and painful. After a gynecological examination, a diagnosis is made and a treatment plan is made. One of the most important reasons is, of course, social pressure and false information. For this reason, the main purpose of vaginismus treatment is to correct this misinformation. Afterwards, a solution is reached with exercises.
The World Health Organization defines sexual health as a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being related to sexuality. Mutual respect and communication are very important for a happy and satisfying sexual life. How sexuality will be experienced should be realized with the desire, consent and approval of both parties.
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After research, sexual problems are very common worldwide. This number is one in every three people. The frequency of sexual dysfunction varies according to the society and culture. In societies where sexuality is not talked about, condemned, banned and condemned, where virginity is given importance, and where there is misinformation about sexuality, this situation increases frequently. Masters and Johnson defined sexual dysfunction as any disruption in the human sexual response cycle that may lead to insufficient sexual arousal and satisfaction. It is characterized as an inability to be satisfied with one’s sexual life and its persistence. The most common disorder experienced as sexual dysfunction in women is vaginismus.
Vaginismus Symptoms?
Vaginismus symptoms vary from person to person. Women have more than one symptom. To summarize
While there is no problem in lovemaking and desire, contraction and panic when the moment of intercourse comes
Not allowing the partner to touch the vagina
Pain during sexual intercourse
Failure to follow through after difficult trials
Inability to insert a finger into the vagina
Only part of the penis can enter during sexual intercourse
Fear of sexual intercourse, inability to try sexual intercourse
Inability to undergo gynecological examination, fear and avoidance behavior
Inability to spread the legs during intercourse,
Inability to look at or touch the vagina
in the form of a sexual desire. Mostly, women with vaginismus do not experience sexual reluctance; however, this pleasure may decrease over time and arousal problems may arise. Panic attacks can also occur as a symptom of vaginismus. They get excited during sexual intercourse, their heartbeat and breathing accelerate and they contract.
What are the Causes of Vaginismus?
The most common cause is psychological concerns. The woman with vaginismus has acquired wrong information about sexuality. Such misinformation about the female body causes anxiety. This great importance given to virginity creates the idea that the penis is closed to enter the vagina. Mostly in male-centered cultures, there is the idea that sexuality is only for reproduction. These situations occur because they teach that sexuality is not a pleasurable activity, that there is pain, shame and suffering. This misinformation causes women not to recognize their own organs. With this exaggerated importance given to virginity, it is ensured that women learn sexuality on the first night by not recognizing sexual experience or foreplay. Misinformation about sexuality causes prejudice, guilt, excessive anxiety, expectations, sexual dysfunction and fear of failure.
Events such as sexual abuse, rape, or assault also cause vaginismus. Fear of getting pregnant, daily life stress and problems in the relationship can also be among the causes.
How is Vaginismus Treatment?
For the treatment of vaginismus, a treatment plan should be created by sexual therapists specialized in the sexual field. Sexual therapists provide special trainings and information about sexual life for patients with vaginismus. The purpose of this important information is to focus on the psychological causes underlying the disease, to eliminate them and to re-teach the wrong information learned.
In addition to information and trainings, exercises are also provided. Relaxation techniques to relax the contracted vaginal muscles and breathing exercises to cause relaxation are given. Kegel exercise is given to recognize and control the vaginal muscles. Kegel exercise; It is known as the exercise of squeezing and releasing the pelvic floor muscles. It is a very effective method used in sexual dysfunctions. In addition to these exercises, some behavioral techniques are also applied to reduce anxiety and relax the pelvic muscles.
While sexuality is one of the most beautiful things in life, do not be deprived of this beauty because of misinformation and get treated immediately!
