Vaginismus
is an involuntary contraction of the muscles surrounding
the entrance to the vagina, making penetration impossible
and or painful. The muscle group involved is called the
pubococcygeal muscles (PC).
Normally,
the vaginal sphincter keeps the vagina closed until the
need to expand and relax. This relaxation allows for sexual
intercourse, medical examination, insertion of tampons and
childbirth. Vaginismus occurs when the vagina is unable
to relax and permit the penetration of the penis during
intercourse however, when vaginismus does occur, the sphincter
goes into spasm resulting in the tightening of the vagina.
In some
women, vaginismus prevents all attempts at successful intercourse.
Vaginismus may even occur anytime in life, even if a woman
has a history of enjoyable and painless intercourse.
The
severity of vaginismus varies from woman to woman. Some
are able to insert a tampon and complete a gynecological
exam but are unable to insert a penis. Others are unable
to insert anything into their vagina.
Vaginismus
is not due to a physical abnormality of the genitals. Some
women wonder if their vagina is too small to fit a penis
in or perhaps they have no vaginal opening at all and that
is why sex is so difficult. This is understandable especially
when the vaginal muscles are in spasm as they can give the
appearance that the opening is nonexistent. These concerns,
however, are incorrect as the genital area is completely
normal.
In addition to vaginismus, there are a number of other disorders
-- such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory
disease, etc. -- that can result in painful sexual intercourse
or penetration. It's important that a reliable diagnosis
is obtained so that the appropriate treatment can be recommended.
Nonphysical
Causes:
The cause of vaginismus is often a result of an aversive stimulus associated with penetration. Some of the more common aversive stimuli are traumatic sexual assaults, painful intercourse, and traumatic pelvic exam.
Vaginismus may also result from the patient
having strong inhibitions about sex stemming from strict
religious beliefs or cultural norms.
This disorder does not mean that women
suffering from this disorder are frigid. Many are very sexually
responsive and may have orgasms through clitoral stimulation.
Many women with vaginismus may seek sexual contact and sexual
foreplay as long as actual intercourse/vaginal penetration
is avoided.
Concepts such as penetration, intercourse and even sex can cause fear or trepidation in the mind of may a young inexperienced woman who may hear stories about painful first intercourse, which then reinforce the fear of penetration. This fear can compound and create a pattern of sexual anxiety, causing the vagina to remain dry and unrelaxed before intercourse.
Treatment:
The treatment of vaginismus is usually a therapy program
that includes vaginal dilation exercises using plastic dilators.
It's important that the use of dilators proceeds in a systematic
progression under the direction of a sex therapist and should
actively involve the woman's sexual partner. The treatment
include gradually more intimate contact eventually culminating
in successful and pain free intercourse. Sex education is
also very important to counter sexual naivety and dispel
any misinformation which has been identified as a factor
in 90% of vaginismus cases. This education should include
information about sexual anatomy, physiology, the sexual
response cycle, and common myths about sex.
Psychotherapy
and Counseling
See
a qualified, licensed professional. Anyone can call
themselves a sex therapist, so you want to find a good psychologist
or psychiatrist who you trust. Try to get referred by your
own physician or health care provider.
Orgasm
and kissing benefits? Yes! Sexual health answers at Sex
Ed 101.org
Orgasm and kissing benefits? Yes! Sexual health answers at Sex Ed 101.org
To find other free health content see e-healtharticles.com
Get HTML Code for your Site Below:
(Publishers, you may need to add in paragraph tags on some articles.)
Submitted by: fl_nurse
(Added: Fri Jun 16 2006 Hits: 144 Downloads: 0 Rating: 0.00 Votes: 0)
Rate It
Review It
