30/07/2023
How Can Women With Vaginismus and Their Partners Thrive S*xually?
Reviewed by the medical professionals of the ISSM’s Communication Committee
How Can Women With Vaginismus and Their Partners Thrive S*xually?
Vaginismus is a s*xual health condition under the umbrella of genito-pelvic pain/pe*******on disorder (GPPPD) that causes a v***a owner’s pelvic floor muscles to contract in response to attempted pe*******on, making pe*******on difficult, painful, or even impossible.
This condition can have many negative side effects, particularly when it comes to a person’s s*xual health. Common side effects include burning or stinging pain during s*x, difficulty with penetrative va**nal s*x, difficulty with tampon insertion, and fear or anxiety around s*xual activity. Nevertheless, there are steps that a person with vaginismus and their s*xual partner(s) can take to improve their s*xual health and s*xual experiences.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Vaginismus is caused by overly tight pelvic floor muscles, so retraining the pelvic floor muscles is a good place to start with treatment. Pelvic floor physical therapists can teach patients exercises that help them to relax and release their pelvic floor muscles. When done correctly under the supervision of a trained professional, pelvic floor muscle exercises can improve the function of these muscles, allowing them to release in response to attempted pe*******on.
Relaxation Techniques
Mindfulness, breathing exercises, and gentle touch can help a person relax their pelvic floor muscles. Consistently incorporating relaxation techniques into a s*xual routine may be helpful for people with vaginismus.
Dilators or Vaginal Trainers
Dilators, also known as va**nal trainers, are tampon-shaped devices that come in multiple sizes and can be used to gently open and stretch the muscles around the va**na. By using dilators daily and gradually increasing the size of the dilator used, a person with vaginismus can gradually become comfortable with having something in their va**na.
S*x Therapy and/or Group Counseling
S*x therapy and/or group counseling may be helpful for patients to work through any psychological components that may be contributing to or arising from their condition. S*x therapists can help patients and their partners develop strategies for enhancing their s*xual experiences, limiting pain and discomfort, and communicating effectively with one another.
Botox® (Botulinum Toxin Type A) Treatment
Individuals who have worked with some of the aforementioned approaches and are still struggling with vaginismus symptoms might consider doing a Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox®) injection treatment to temporarily relax the pelvic floor muscles around the va**na. This treatment for vaginismus is generally combined with va**nal trainers and/or pelvic floor physical therapy, so that the va**na can slowly adjust to increasingly larger objects while the muscles around it are relaxed from the Botox® injections.
Regardless of how long a person may have suffered from vaginismus, there is hope for improvement. Vaginismus can be a chronic condition requiring routine maintenance with all the described techniques, which is why it is important to talk to your health care provider about these and other potential treatment options.
References:
(2021). Self-help guidance for vaginismus and pain with penetrative s*x.https://policyonline.nhslothian.scot/Policies/PatientInformation/Self-help_guidance_for_vaginismus_and_pain_with_penetrative_s*x.pdf
(2021, February 10). Vaginismus. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaginismus/ #:~:text=Vaginismus
Pacik, P.T., & Geletta, S. (2017). Vaginismus treatment: clinical trials follow up 241 patients. S*xual Medicine, 5 (2), e114–e123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esxm.2017.02.002
Women’s Health & Research: Institute of Australia. (2015).https://www.whria.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Vaginismus-template.pdf
