Is it possible to treat vaginismus in a short time, experts explain!

Gynecologist, Sex Therapist, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist gave important information about the subject. Vaginismus is the uncontrolled contraction of the vagina muscles during sexual intercourse and consequently the inability to have sexual intercourse or the painful sexual intercourse.

I will tell you about the treatment of vaginismus in this article. Because, the most curious subject of women; It is how the vaginismus treatment will end in a short time instead of months-long sessions. We have seen that in the treatment of vaginismus disease, when treated for the cause of vaginismus, the treatment period is as short as 1-3 days, and most importantly, it is treated permanently. Vaginismus patients often cannot foresee that they will encounter such a problem before they experience a sexual intercourse. Since vaginismus disease is a problem that is generally hidden from everyone, they are not aware of the existence of such a disease.

The most important step is to decide on the treatment

Actually, the most important step in the treatment of vaginismus is It is the woman’s realization that this is a disease and her decision to treat. I believe that deciding on the treatment and searching for it is 50% of the treatment. Because there are thousands of women with vaginismus who could not take a step for treatment despite the passing of years. Now let’s see how vaginismus treatment can be treated in a short time like 1-3 days; When a vaginismus patient decides on treatment and comes to our clinic, we first take a detailed history. Thus, we have an idea about the cause of vaginismus. Based on this reason, we decide how to proceed in the treatment. We definitely do cognitive therapy in the treatment of vaginismus. In cognitive therapy, by giving detailed information about the female and male reproductive organs, the hymen is corrected by giving correct information. This information is made not only by explaining, but by using visual materials. Later, we teach the woman how to notice the involuntary contractions in her own vagina muscles and how to relax these contractions.

The treatment time is shortened by using subliminal ways of speech

While doing all these treatments, we teach the woman how to relax them. If it is done using subconscious ways of speaking, the treatment time will be shortened. Because vaginismus is a disease of the subconscious. The most important way to talk to the subconscious mind is hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy is the creation of acceptable changes in the subconscious. No matter how experienced and skilled the hypnotist is in hypnotherapy, if the patient does not want to be hypnotized, he cannot be hypnotized. Therefore, it is necessary to inform the patient about hypnotherapy before coming to the treatment of vaginismus. In hypnotherapy, the patient does not have to share any of their secrets if they do not want to. Unless a contrary suggestion is given, there will be no forgetting about anything. It will never happen that you cannot wake up from hypnotherapy. After all, hypnosis is not a state of sleep. The work done in hypnotherapy is to neutralize the negative decision of the subconscious mind, which causes vaginismus, about sexual intercourse in the past. In this way, we will dry the swamp, so to speak. Thus, the vaginismus treatment is done permanently.

To summarize briefly; Vaginismus is a permanent and 100% curable disease when treated using personalized and correct treatment methods. The most important issue in treatment; To start treatment as soon as possible without delaying treatment. Years may pass while you wait for it to pass in time at home. Unfortunately, self-treatment of vaginismus at home is not possible.

What is vaginismus?

Symptoms of vaginismus

Make a point of seeing your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Finding it hard to insert a tampon into your vagina
• Struggling with vaginal penetration during sex
• Feeling burning or stinging pain during sex

Due to similar symptoms, sometimes vaginismus is confused with these conditions:

• Vulvar vestibulitis : This condition causes painful sex. People may have pain from initial penetration throughout the entire experience.
• Vaginal atrophy: Lack of estrogen after menopause makes the lining of the vagina thinner and drier, which can cause sex to be painful or challenging.

Causes of vaginismus

In general, involuntary tightening of vaginal muscles is due to an overreaction of the limbic system, which regulates body reactions and behaviors. Vaginismus is usually attributed to non-physical or emotional reasons, such as fear or anxiety toward penetration, previous sexual trauma, fear of pregnancy, or a negative view of sex. Vaginismus can also sometimes have physical reasons that cause pelvic pain, such as complications from childbirth, pelvic trauma or abuse, aging, or certain medications. In some cases there is no obvious, identifiable cause.

Who gets vaginismus?

Vaginismus symptoms may appear during the late teen years or early adulthood when a person has sex for the first time. The condition can also happen the first time a person tries to insert a tampon or has a pelvic exam at a healthcare provider’s office. Some women develop vaginismus later in life. It can happen after years without any problems. Spasms or discomfort may occur anytime there’s vaginal penetration. Or you may have them only at certain times, such as during sex or pelvic exams. You may be more at risk for developing vaginismus if you have experienced sexual trauma or abuse, have anxiety about penetration, or have had medical pelvic issues in the past.

Diagnosis for vaginismus

It is important to see your doctor about your vaginismus symptoms. They will ask you about your symptoms and may ask to examine your vagina. The examination is usually brief. Your doctor will take a quick look to rule out other conditions, like an infection. It’s unlikely they’ll need to perform an internal examination of your vagina. If your doctor thinks you have vaginismus, you may be referred to a specialist, such as a sex therapist.

Treatments for vaginismus

Vaginismus is both a physical and psychological condition, making treatment complex. Treatment often involves a combination of counseling, education, muscle exercises, and sometimes medication. Commitment to these interventions can reduce or cure your vaginismus symptoms.

Medications

Your doctor may prescribe antidepressants or anticonvulsants. Anxiolytic medication, such as diazepam, in combination with psychological therapy, has been the most commonly used medication for this condition. In other cases, local anesthetics, such as lidocaine gel, have been proposed as a form of treatment.

Alternative therapies

It is possible to treat vaginismus using the following alternative methods:

• Sex Therapy: This approach may involve relaxation techniques and gradually inserting a dilator or finger into the vagina. It is sometimes called systematic desensitization.
• Kegel Exercises: These exercises involve the repeated contraction and relaxation of the pelvic muscles. The exercises can help improve control over the vaginal muscles.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps you understand how your thoughts affect your emotions and behaviors. It’s an effective treatment for anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Relaxation Techniques: Mindfulness, breathing, and gentle touching exercises can help you learn to relax the vaginal muscles.

Complications and side effects of vaginismus

Vaginismus can affect your sex life and relationships with your partner. It can affect your mental health, leading to increased anxiety and self-image issues. If you’re trying to become pregnant, vaginismus may make it more challenging to conceive. While the alternative therapies for vaginismus are considered safe, antidepressants can have side effects. If your doctor prescribes antidepressants as part of your vaginismus treatment, be wary of side effects ranging from rash to insomnia to increased anxiety. Also ask your doctor how antidepressants may interact with your other medications.

Treatments for vaginismus

Vaginismus is both a physical and psychological condition, making treatment complex. Treatment often involves a combination of counseling, education, muscle exercises, and sometimes medication. Commitment to these interventions can reduce or cure your vaginismus symptoms.

Medications

Your doctor may prescribe antidepressants or anticonvulsants. Anxiolytic medication, such as diazepam, in combination with psychological therapy, has been the most commonly used medication for this condition. In other cases, local anesthetics, such as lidocaine gel, have been proposed as a form of treatment.

Alternative therapies

It is possible to treat vaginismus using the following alternative methods:

• Sex Therapy: This approach may involve relaxation techniques and gradually inserting a dilator or finger into the vagina. It is sometimes called systematic desensitization.
• Kegel Exercises: These exercises involve the repeated contraction and relaxation of the pelvic muscles. The exercises can help improve control over the vaginal muscles.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps you understand how your thoughts affect your emotions and behaviors. It’s an effective treatment for anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Relaxation Techniques: Mindfulness, breathing, and gentle touching exercises can help you learn to relax the vaginal muscles.

Complications and side effects of vaginismus

Vaginismus can affect your sex life and relationships with your partner. It can affect your mental health, leading to increased anxiety and self-image issues. If you’re trying to become pregnant, vaginismus may make it more challenging to conceive. While the alternative therapies for vaginismus are considered safe, antidepressants can have side effects. If your doctor prescribes antidepressants as part of your vaginismus treatment, be wary of side effects ranging from rash to insomnia to increased anxiety. Also ask your doctor how antidepressants may interact with your other medications. For some women, the vaginal muscles involuntarily or persistently contract when they attempt vaginal penetration. This is called vaginismus. The contractions can prevent sexual intercourse or make it very painful.

This can happen:

• as the partner attempts penetration
• when a woman inserts a tampon
• when a woman is touched near the vaginal area

Vaginismus doesn’t interfere with sexual arousal, but it can prevent penetration. A gentle pelvic exam typically shows no cause of the contractions. No physical abnormalities contribute to the condition. Sexual dysfunction can occur in both males and females and can usually be treated. It’s not your fault, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Nevertheless, these disorders can interfere with your relationships and your quality of life. Experts don’t know exactly how many women have vaginismus, but the condition is considered to be uncommon.

Types of vaginismus

Vaginismus is classified into two types:

• primary vaginismus: when vaginal penetration has never been achieved
• secondary vaginismus: when vaginal penetration was once achieved, but is no longer possible, potentially due to factors such as gynecologic surgery, trauma, or radiation

Some women develop vaginismus after menopause. When estrogen levels drop, a lack of vaginal lubrication and elasticity makes intercourse painful, stressful, or impossible. This can lead to vaginismus in some women.

Dyspareunia

Dyspareunia is the medical term for painful sexual intercourse. It’s often confused with vaginismus. However, dyspareunia could be due to:

• cysts
• pelvic inflammatory disease
• vaginal atrophy

Causes of vaginismus

There’s not always a reason for vaginismus. The condition has been linked to:

• past sexual abuse or trauma
• past painful intercourse
• emotional factors

In some cases, no direct cause can be found.

To make a diagnosis, your doctor will do a physical exam and ask about your medical and sexual history. These histories can help give clues to the underlying cause of the contractions.

Symptoms of vaginismus

Involuntary tightening of the vaginal muscles is the primary symptom of vaginismus, but the severity of the condition varies between women. In all cases, constriction of the vagina makes penetration difficult or impossible. If you have vaginismus, you can’t manage or stop the contractions of your vaginal muscles.

Vaginismus can have additional symptoms, including fear of vaginal penetration and decreased sexual desire related to penetration. Women with vaginismus often report a burning or stinging pain when anything is inserted into the vagina. If you have vaginismus, it doesn’t mean that you’ll stop enjoying sexual activities altogether. Women who have the condition can still feel and crave sexual pleasure and have orgasms.

Many sexual activities don’t involve penetration, including:

• oral sex
• massage
• masturbation

Diagnosis of vaginismus

Diagnosis of vaginismus usually begins with describing your symptoms. Your doctor will likely ask:

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

Typically, your doctor will also ask about your sexual history, which may include questions about whether you’ve ever experienced sexual trauma or abuse. In general, diagnosis and treatment of vaginismus require a pelvic exam. It’s common for women with vaginismus to be nervous or fearful about pelvic exams. If your doctor recommends a pelvic exam, you can discuss ways to make the exam as comfortable as possible for you. Some women prefer not to use stirrups and to try different physical positions for the exam. You may feel more at ease if you can use a mirror to see what your doctor is doing. When a doctor suspects vaginismus, they’ll generally perform the exam as gently as they can. They may suggest that you help guide their hand or medical instruments into your vagina to make penetration easier. You can ask your doctor to explain every step of the exam to you as they go along. During the exam, your doctor will look for any sign of infection or scarring. In vaginismus, there’s no physical reason for the vaginal muscles to contract. That means, if you have vaginismus, your doctor won’t find another cause for your symptoms.

Treatment options for vaginismus

Vaginismus is a treatable disorder. Treatment usually includes education, counseling, and exercises.

Sex therapy and counseling

Education typically involves learning about your anatomy and what happens during sexual arousal and intercourse. You’ll get information about the muscles involved in vaginismus, too. This can help you understand how the parts of the body work and how your body is responding. Counseling may involve you alone or with your partner. Working with a counselor who specializes in sexual disorders may be helpful. Relaxation techniques and hypnosis may also promote relaxation and help you feel more comfortable with intercourse.

Vaginal dilators

Your doctor or counselor may recommend learning to use vaginal dilators under the supervision of a professional. Place the cone-shaped dilators in your vagina. The dilators will get progressively bigger. This helps the vaginal muscles stretch and become flexible. To increase intimacy, have your partner help you insert the dilators. After completing the course of treatment with a set of dilators, you and your partner can try to have intercourse again.

Physical therapy

If you have a hard time using dilators on your own, obtain a referral to a physical therapist who specializes in the pelvic floor.

They can help you:

• learn more on how to use dilators
• learn about deep relaxation techniques

Living with vaginismus

Sexual dysfunction can take a toll on relationships. Being proactive and getting treatment can be crucial in saving a marriage or relationship. It’s important to remember that there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Talking with your partner about your feelings and fears about intercourse may help you feel more relaxed. Your doctor or therapist can provide you with ways to overcome vaginismus. Many people recover and go on to live happy sexual lives. Scheduling treatment sessions with a sex therapist  may be beneficial. Using lubrication or certain sexual positions can help make sexual intercourse more comfortable. Experiment and find out what works for you and your partner.