What is Vaginismus?
Vaginismus is a sexual dysfunction that makes sexual intercourse or vaginal penetration impossible or painful in women. Vaginismus occurs as a result of involuntary contractions or contraction reflexes of the vaginal muscles. These contractions prevent penetration by narrowing or completely closing the entrance to the vagina during sexual intercourse.
Physical Symptoms of Vaginismus
Vaginismus can manifest itself with an intense contraction or feeling of discomfort at the entrance to the vagina. This may occur during sexual intercourse or during a vaginal examination. Physical symptoms of vaginismus may include pain, a burning sensation, contraction, or a complete contraction reflex.
Psychological Effects of Vaginismus
Vaginismus is often associated with intense stress, fear, and anxiety during sexual intercourse or vaginal penetration attempts. Over time, this condition can reduce a person’s sexual self-confidence, cause problems in relationships and personal life, and negatively affect their overall quality of life. Psychological effects include embarrassment, loss of self-confidence, and relationship problems.
Types and Severity of Vaginismus
Vaginismus can be seen in varying degrees and forms from person to person. While it manifests itself with mild contractions or pain in some women, it can manifest itself with more severe contractions and complete prevention of penetration in others. In addition, it occurs only during attempts at sexual intercourse in some women, while in others it can occur during all attempts at vaginal penetration, such as vaginal examinations.
Vaginismus and Social Perception
Vaginismus is still a subject that is not sufficiently understood and discussed in society. This situation can increase women’s feelings of shame and prevent them from seeking treatment. Misconceptions that may occur in social perception can cause individuals living with vaginismus to feel alone and misunderstood.
Vaginismus Symptoms and How Is It Diagnosed?
Involuntary Contraction of Vaginal Muscles: The most obvious symptom associated with vaginismus is the involuntary contraction or tightening of the vaginal muscles. These contractions may occur during intercourse or during a vaginal exam.
Pain or Burning Sensation: Contractions associated with vaginismus are often accompanied by pain or a burning sensation. These sensations may occur during intercourse or during attempts at penetration.
Penetration is Impossible or Painful: A woman struggling with vaginismus may find intercourse or vaginal penetration impossible or painful. This occurs when the vaginal muscles completely contract or narrow the entrance.
Avoidance of Sexual Intercourse: Women struggling with vaginismus may tend to avoid intercourse. This may manifest as a lack of sexual desire or avoidance behavior.
Stress and Anxiety: Symptoms associated with vaginismus often come with intense stress and anxiety during intercourse or attempts at penetration. These feelings can negatively affect the sexual lives of women struggling with vaginismus.
How is Vaginismus Diagnosed?
Physical Examination: To diagnose vaginismus, gynecologists usually perform a physical examination. During the examination, the condition of the muscles at the entrance to the vagina is examined and whether vaginal penetration is possible.
History and Symptom Assessment: Gynecologists evaluate the patient’s symptoms and past sexual experiences to evaluate the possibility of vaginismus. Detailed information is obtained about the patient’s sexual history, intercourse experiences, and symptoms.
Psychological Assessment: Vaginismus usually results from a combination of physical and psychological factors. Therefore, a psychological assessment may also be performed to diagnose vaginismus. A psychologist or therapist evaluates the patient’s emotional and psychological state and determines a treatment plan.
Other Diagnostic Tests: In order to diagnose vaginismus, other sexual dysfunctions or medical conditions must usually be excluded. Therefore, gynecologists may sometimes use other diagnostic tests, such as blood tests or imaging tests.
Causes of Vaginismus
Psychological Factors:
Sexual Fears and Anxiety: Vaginismus is often associated with intense fears and anxieties about sexual intercourse or vaginal penetration. These fears can often be linked to past sexual experiences, sexual abuse, or traumatic events.
Stress and Anxiety: Factors such as daily stress, work, or relationship problems can trigger or exacerbate vaginismus symptoms. Anxiety disorders can also increase the risk of vaginismus.
Emotional Factors: A person’s emotional state and problems in their relationships can increase the risk of vaginismus. For example, an unsafe relationship or a history of emotional abuse can lead to vaginismus.
Physiological Factors:
Vaginal Infections: Vaginal infections can increase the sensitivity of the vagina and trigger vaginismus symptoms.
Muscle Spasms: In some cases, involuntary contractions or spasms in the vaginal muscles can cause vaginismus. These spasms can prevent penetration by narrowing or completely closing the entrance to the vagina.
Sex Education and Cultural Factors:
Inadequate Sex Education: Some women may experience vaginismus symptoms due to lack of sexual education. Not having enough information about sexuality or being misinformed can increase the risk of vaginismus.
Social and Cultural Pressures: Social and cultural norms can affect perceptions of sexuality and vaginal penetration. These norms can affect women’s sexual experiences and increase the risk of vaginismus.
Childhood Experiences:
Sexual Abuse or Trauma: Experiencing sexual abuse or trauma in childhood can increase the risk of vaginismus later in life. Such experiences can cause a person to develop fears about sexual intercourse or vaginal penetration.
Cognitive Factors:
Negative Beliefs and Attitudes: Negative beliefs or attitudes about sexuality can trigger or exacerbate vaginismus symptoms. For example, believing that sex is sinful or feeling ashamed about sex can lead to vaginismus.
Vaginismus Treatment and Transition Process
Seek Professional Help: When vaginismus is diagnosed, the first step is usually to seek professional help from a healthcare professional. Professionals such as a gynecologist, sex therapist, or psychiatrist can help you cope with vaginismus.
Psychotherapy and Counseling: Psychotherapy and counseling play an important role in vaginismus treatment. Sex therapists or therapists may use a variety of therapy techniques to understand the patient’s emotional and psychological difficulties and manage vaginismus symptoms. These therapies may include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), desensitization, and feedback techniques.
Muscle Exercises and Physical Therapy: In vaginismus treatment, muscle exercises and physical therapy can be used to relax and control the vaginal muscles. These exercises can help ease penetration by reducing involuntary contractions of the vaginal muscles.
Sex Education and Information: Sex education and information are important in vaginismus treatment. Patients’ false beliefs or attitudes about sexuality are changed and healthy sexual intercourse skills are developed.
Couple Therapy and Partner Participation: In vaginismus treatment, couple therapy and partner participation are important. The understanding and supportive attitude of the partner can affect the patient’s success in the treatment process. Couple therapy can help cope with vaginismus by improving relationship dynamics and communication.
Medication: In some cases, medications can also be used in vaginismus treatment. Antidepressants or anxiolytics may be prescribed, especially if there are symptoms of anxiety or depression.
Patience and Motivation During the Treatment Process: Vaginismus treatment is often a time-consuming and patient process. It is important for patients to be patient and maintain their motivation during the treatment process. There may be withdrawals or difficulties during the treatment process, but it is important to continue the process.
Post-Treatment Support and Follow-up: After vaginismus treatment is completed, post-treatment support and follow-up are important for patients. Patients’ symptoms are monitored and support and counseling are provided if necessary.
Having Sex With Vaginismus and Sexual Health
Difficulties of Having Sex with Vaginismus: Having sex can be a significant challenge for women struggling with vaginismus. Involuntary contractions or contraction reflexes of the vaginal muscles can prevent penetration, making it difficult or impossible to have sex.
Suggestions for Making Penetration Possible: Women struggling with vaginismus can try a variety of methods to make penetration possible. These methods may include muscle relaxation exercises, deep breathing techniques, slow and gentle penetration attempts, and the use of lubricant.
Relaxing and Enjoying During Sex: Having sex with vaginismus can sometimes be a painful or stressful experience. However, women can use a variety of strategies to relax and enjoy sex. For example, they can try positions that they feel comfortable with by communicating with their partners and sharing their sexual experiences.
Communication and Partner Involvement in the Relationship: Communication and partner involvement in the relationship are important for women struggling with vaginismus. Open communication, understanding and supportive attitude of the partner can reduce stress in the relationship and improve sexual experiences.
Sexual Health and Protection: Having a relationship with vaginismus requires women to pay attention to their sexual health. Using protection methods during sexual intercourse is important to protect against sexually transmitted infections. In addition, it is important to seek professional help from a gynecologist if pain or discomfort is felt during intercourse with vaginismus.
Seeking Support During Treatment and Recovery: Having a relationship with vaginismus may require seeking support during the treatment and recovery process. Women can receive support and guidance in the process of coping with vaginismus by getting professional help. They can also share their experiences with other women and receive moral support by joining support groups.
Effects and Psychological Dimension of Vaginismus
Emotional Effects: Women struggling with vaginismus often experience intense emotional difficulties. Difficulties in engaging in sexual intercourse can lead to emotional reactions such as shame, guilt, depression, and loss of self-confidence.
Loss of Self-Confidence: Difficulties in engaging in sexual intercourse with vaginismus can negatively impact women’s sexual self-confidence. Women may feel inadequate or incomplete due to the symptoms associated with vaginismus.
Sexual and Relational Effects: Vaginismus can be a significant source of stress in relationships and sexual life. This can make communication with a partner difficult, cause sexual incompatibility, and lead to tensions in the relationship.
Difficulties in Intimate Relationships: Women struggling with vaginismus may experience difficulties in intimate and romantic relationships. This can make it difficult to establish closeness in romantic relationships and strengthen emotional bonds with their partners.
Social Isolation and Shame: Women struggling with vaginismus often experience social isolation and shame. This can cause women to avoid talking openly about sexuality and delay seeking help.
Psychological Trauma: Difficulties in having sexual intercourse with vaginismus can cause psychological trauma in some women. Women with a history of sexual abuse or trauma in particular may have a harder time coping with vaginismus symptoms.
Effects on Personal Identity and Self-Perception: Women struggling with vaginismus often experience negative effects on personal identity and self-perception. This can make women feel incomplete or inadequate.
Resistance to Treatment: Women struggling with vaginismus may resist treatment. This can cause them to have difficulty starting or continuing treatment.
