Blog #12: Vaginismus

Vaginismus is a vaginal tightness that causing discomfort, burning, pain, penetration problems, or inability to have intercourse. It results from the limbic system’s (a brain area) response towards penetration and is a protective mechanism that causes the body to brace against potential harm. Vaginismus can be very troubling for people who want to build sexual connections or pleasure themselves with vaginal insertion.

• Symptoms: a patient doesn’t need to exhibit every symptom to be diagnosed.

  • Burning or stinging with tightness during penetrative sex.

  • Difficult, painful, or impossible penetration.

  • Ongoing sexual discomfort or pain following childbirth, yeast/urinary infections, STIs, hysterectomy, cancer, surgeries, sexual assault, menopause, or other reproductive issues.

  • Ongoing sexual pain of unknown origin.

  • Difficulty inserting tampons or undergoing a pelvic/gynecological exam.

  • Spasms in other body muscle groups (legs, lower back, etc.) and/or halted breathing during attempts at intercourse.

  • Avoidance of sex due to discomfort/pain.

• Diagnosis: vaginismus is typically confirmed by 1) a pelvic exam that rules out other possible conditions and 2) a review of patient history.

• Treatment:

  • Talk to your OB/GYN provider first about treatment: they may recommend self-guided practices at home or refer you to a physical therapist.

  • The goal of treatment is to gradually expose the vagina to inserted objects. At home, this could be accomplished with fingers, medical-grade trainers/dilators, or sex toys of increasing diameter. Make sure the tools you use are sanitary and won’t cause infection (i.e. clean trimmed fingernails): see Blogs #4 and #9 for more tips on hygiene and sanitation!

  • Start small and proceed with patience: it is important for your body and mind to feel comfortable and relaxed. Using lubricant is also very helpful, see Blog #5 for more information!

  • Communicate with sexual partners about the condition and work together to help your vagina become accustomed to insertion. And remember, people oftentimes need clitoral or other types of sexual stimulation to feel more aroused and comfortable, not just through penetrative stimulation.

vaginismus.com is a thorough resource for addressing vaginismus, and they offer treatment solutions for purchase through hopeandher.com. We want to note though that the language on both sites is unfortunately cis-normative, and we acknowledge that anyone with a vagina (including transgender people) can experience vaginismus.