Experiences with
Vaginismus- you find it hard inserting a tampon into your vagina
- you struggle with vaginal penetration during sex
- you feel burning or stinging pain during sex
These are common signs of vaginismus.
Treatment for vaginismus
Treatment usually focuses on:
- managing your feelings around penetration
- exercises to gradually get you used to penetration
Treatment is initially done under the guidance of specialised therapists. You'll then usually be expected to practise some of the exercises at home.
If you're in a relationship, you can choose to involve your partner.
Treatment usually works and you may see progress in a matter of weeks.
Sometimes vaginismus is mistaken for a physical problem with your vagina, which can lead to needless surgery. Very few cases of vaginismus require surgery.
Causes of vaginismus
The reasons for vaginismus are not always clear, but some things thought to cause it include:
- fearing that your vagina is too small
- a bad first sexual experience
- an unpleasant medical examination
- believing sex is shameful or wrong
- a painful medical condition, like thrush
The main symptom of vaginismus is the muscles of your vagina suddenly tightening up if you try to have sex or put something into it, like a tampon.
Treatments for vaginismus include talking therapy, relaxation techniques and pelvic floor exercises.
Vaginismus does not always have an obvious cause. Sometimes it can be caused by things like fear your vagina is too small or a bad sexual experience.
Related links
HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence