You’ve been told you have vaginismus, or you’ve been googling your symptoms and you think you have vaginismus but you’re not sure.
Hi, I’m Dr. Christine, a pelvic floor physical therapist. I treat vaginismus almost daily in my practice, and I believe understanding what’s happening in your body is crucial to beginning your healing journey.
Understanding Vaginismus
Vaginismus is a pain disorder classified as a sexual dysfunction characterized by spasms in the pelvic floor muscles surrounding the vagina, which can close off the vaginal opening. There are different types:
Primary Vaginismus: You’ve had it for as long as you can remember. As a teenager, you may have found inserting tampons or undergoing gynecological exams painful. Sexual intercourse involving penetration has also been consistently painful.
Secondary Vaginismus: Develops later in life; you may have experienced pain-free penetration initially, but something changed over time—possibly due to trauma, stress, hormone changes, or other factors.
Symptoms of Vaginismus
Symptoms often include:
- Pain or discomfort during penetration
- Tightness or a feeling of "hitting a wall" during attempted penetration
- Difficulty inserting tampons or undergoing gynecological exams
Causes of Vaginismus
The exact cause of vaginismus is not fully understood, but it may be triggered by:
- Anxiety or fear of pain related to penetration
- Past traumatic experiences, such as sexual abuse
- Relationship issues or stress
- Physical conditions like infections or hormonal imbalances
Vaginismus operates in a reinforcing cycle. While the primary cause is unknown, muscle spasms and pain likely interact to intensify each other. When muscles tighten, attempted penetration causes pain, triggering further muscle tension as a protective response, which in turn exacerbates the pain. Understanding this cycle is crucial for treatment because many methods involve guiding your brain and body to understand that it’s safe to relax the muscles.
Contributing factors can include inadequate sexual education, cultural or religious backgrounds that stigmatize sex, or difficulty in recognizing and addressing personal feelings and needs. Being attuned to your body and emotions is essential.
If you suspect vaginismus or experience pain during intercourse, tampon insertion, gynecological exams, or other activities that shouldn’t be painful, seek help from a pelvic floor physical therapist. They can help you live pain-free. Feel free to reach out if you want to learn more or explore our online resources.
