Vaginismus Treatment

In medical terms, sexual intercourse disorder is defined as vaginismus. All the muscles in our body allow our movements to be flexible. When the muscles in the vagina relax, vaginal penetration occurs during sexual intercourse.

Vaginismus occurs as a result of the vaginal muscles not relaxing sufficiently and contracting involuntarily during intercourse. The prevention of vaginal penetration due to this contraction is medically referred to as vaginismus disease. In fact, this condition is also a problem of sexual compatibility.

What Is Vaginismus? What Does Vaginismus Mean?

In general terms, vaginismus is the involuntary contraction of the vaginal muscles, making sexual intercourse impossible or causing sexuality to be experienced in an extremely painful way. At the same time, this condition becomes a serious problem in maintaining marriages due to the inability of couples to have sexual intercourse starting from the very first sexual experience. The development of this condition in women is related to both physiological and psychological reasons.

What Is the Vagina? What Is the Structure of the Vagina?

The vagina is the area where sexual intercourse takes place and where the penis enters during intercourse. In addition, the vagina includes the canal through which urine passes, menstrual bleeding occurs, and childbirth takes place. Vaginal canals have the ability to stretch from 8–9 cm up to 16–18 cm. Thanks to this elasticity, women are also able to give birth comfortably.

What Are the Symptoms of Vaginismus?

One or more symptoms of vaginismus may be present in each patient. These symptoms include:

• Women avoiding sexual intercourse

• Panic during sexual intercourse, wanting to close their legs, pulling themselves back from the act, and not allowing the penis to enter the vagina

• Experiencing extremely painful sexual intercourse

• Avoiding gynecological examinations

• Not wanting to have a smear test

In addition, despite no problems during foreplay, excessive fear during penetration and refusing intercourse in order to avoid sexual activity are also symptoms of vaginismus.

Can Single Women Have Vaginismus? How Can Single Women Understand They Have Vaginismus?

Yes, single women can also have vaginismus. During premarital sexual experiences, they may experience muscle contractions, inability to have intercourse, or panic during intercourse. The general and well-known symptoms of vaginismus are similar in single women.

First Night Fear and the Causes of Vaginismus on the First Night

In our society, the main cause of most sexual problems is vaginismus. Considering sexuality as shameful and suppressing it in some societies leads to the development of this condition. This situation is especially common in women who have never experienced sexuality. First night fear usually arises from misinformation women hear before marriage.

Although vaginismus is known as a sexual disease, it is actually a psychological disorder and a phobia caused by anxiety related to sexual intercourse. However, some patients may experience this condition due to physiological reasons. For all these reasons, women’s clitoral muscles and pelvic muscles contract very strongly and involuntarily. As a result, women experience both pain and discomfort during their first sexual intercourse.

What Are the Types of Vaginismus?

There are five types that occur due to different causes. The types encountered in vaginismus patients are as follows:

1. Primary Vaginismus

This type is seen in women who have never had sexual intercourse in their lives or who have tried a few times but have not been able to achieve penetration. All women with this health problem are generally virgins.

2. Secondary Vaginismus

Women who previously had intercourse without problems may later become unable to have sexual intercourse due to sexual or genital trauma. This is medically classified as secondary vaginismus.

In this type, the condition usually occurs due to painful gynecological interventions such as abortion, traumatic childbirth, sexual harassment, or rape.

3. Aparonia (Apreunia)

Vaginismus experienced by women due to physical or psychological reasons in either the woman or the man is referred to as aparony. In medical terms, aparony is also defined as the inability to have sexual intercourse.

4. Dyspareunia

Dyspareunia is a type of sexual phobic reaction in which women are able to have intercourse but experience pain and discomfort during penetration. Dyspareunia may also occur due to certain physical causes.

5. Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome (VVS)

This syndrome occurs due to excessive sensitivity and tenderness in the lower part of the hymen. Women with vulvar vestibulitis syndrome experience complaints such as inability to reach orgasm, anxiety during sexual intercourse, and many similar symptoms.

Additionally, some patients apply to us with complaints such as burning, stinging, pain, and discomfort at the vaginal entrance during intercourse. In the treatment of this type, after performing a gynecological examination and making a diagnosis, the treatment is completed with an approximately 15-minute procedure.

Is Vaginismus Treatable?

Vaginismus cannot be treated on its own. Finger exercises may be among the treatment options. However, we apply different methods for patients who apply to us for vaginismus treatment.

With Which Treatments Does Vaginismus Go Away?

It is possible for vaginismus to be resolved through therapy. In fact, it is one of the easiest and fastest treatable sexual health problems. Treatment is possible with sexual therapies conducted simultaneously with couples.

What Does the Man Feel in Case of Vaginismus?

When men encounter such a situation during sexual intercourse, they may think that their spouse is rejecting them and may feel helpless and become angry. In this case, men may show negative reactions toward their partners, which can cause women to avoid sexual intercourse even more.

Vaginismus Treatment Prices in Ankara

Vaginismus treatment prices are determined according to each patient’s health problem and the treatment method to be applied. Therefore, we can only inform you about the treatment cost after performing a preliminary examination and evaluation and determining your treatment method.

What Is Vaginismus?

Vaginismus is a sexual dysfunction seen in women that causes involuntary contraction of the vaginal muscles during sexual intercourse. This condition makes sexual intercourse difficult or completely impossible. Vaginismus is a complex problem with not only physical but also psychological and emotional dimensions.

Women who experience vaginismus feel severe pain, tension, and fear when attempting sexual intercourse. This can negatively affect their sexual lives and cause problems in their relationships. Vaginismus can also affect women’s self-confidence and psychological well-being.

Vaginismus causes the vaginal muscles to contract during intercourse. This contraction blocks the vaginal entrance, making it difficult or impossible to insert the penis or any other object into the vagina. Vaginismus may occur at the beginning of intercourse or during its continuation.

Causes of Vaginismus

The causes of vaginismus are diverse and may differ for each woman. Some possible causes include:

Psychological causes: Sexual trauma, sexual abuse, negative sexual experiences, lack of sexual education, excessive anxiety or fear, body image issues, depression, or other psychological problems.

Physical causes: Vaginal infections, redness or irritation of the vagina, vaginal narrowing, anatomical abnormalities of the vagina, excessive tension in pelvic floor muscles, endometriosis, or other gynecological problems.

Cultural and social causes: Negative attitudes toward sexuality, lack of sexual education, false beliefs about sexuality, family pressure, or cultural taboos.

Medications and medical conditions: Certain medications or medical conditions (such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, cancer treatments) may cause increased tension in vaginal muscles.

Symptoms of Vaginismus

Symptoms of vaginismus may vary from woman to woman, but the most common symptoms include:

• Severe pain or cramps at the vaginal entrance during intercourse

• Contraction or spasms at the vaginal entrance

• Excessive fear or anxiety about sexual intercourse

• Involuntary contraction of vaginal muscles when attempting intercourse

• Burning or stinging sensation at the vaginal entrance during intercourse

• Bleeding at the vaginal entrance during intercourse

• Inability to have or complete sexual intercourse

Diagnosis of Vaginismus

To diagnose vaginismus, a comprehensive evaluation by a gynecology specialist or sex therapist is required. This evaluation may include medical history, physical examination, psychological assessment, and laboratory tests if necessary.

During a vaginal examination, the gynecologist evaluates the tension of the vaginal muscles and narrowing of the vaginal entrance. Possible physical causes such as vaginal infections, endometriosis, or other gynecological problems are also investigated.

Psychological assessment is performed to identify the presence of sexual trauma, anxiety, depression, or other psychological problems. The sex therapist explores the psychological causes of vaginismus and creates an appropriate treatment plan.

Vaginismus Treatment Methods

Vaginismus treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach and should be individualized according to each woman’s condition. Treatment options include:

Psychotherapy: Psychotherapeutic methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy, sex therapy, family therapy, or hypnotherapy may be used to address the psychological causes of vaginismus.

Vaginal dilation therapy: This therapy uses vaginal dilators of increasing sizes to help relax the vaginal muscles. The woman places these dilators into her vagina to promote muscle relaxation.

Pelvic floor exercises: These exercises help improve relaxation and control of the pelvic floor muscles, which can help prevent vaginal muscle contractions.

Medication therapy: In some cases, medications may be prescribed to treat psychological conditions such as anxiety or depression. Muscle relaxants may also be used to relieve vaginal spasms.

Surgical treatment: In rare cases, physical causes such as vaginal narrowing or anatomical abnormalities may require surgical intervention.

Alternative treatments: Alternative therapies such as yoga, meditation, massage therapy, or herbal supplements may help relieve symptoms of vaginismus.

Vaginismus treatment requires patience and determination. The treatment process should be tailored to the woman’s needs and preferences. For successful treatment, the active participation of the woman and support systems (partner, family, or friends) are very important.