Vaginismus can often occur due to emotional, psychological or physical factors. Emotional traumas, sexual abuse, excessive anxiety, lack of sexual education or cultural factors may contribute to vaginismus. This may cause the woman to develop negative thoughts about her sexuality and trigger muscle contractions during sexual intercourse. Treatment often involves a team approach and may require collaboration between sexual therapists, gynecologists and psychologists. Vaginismus can significantly affect the quality of life of the individual and the couple, but with correct and supportive treatment, this condition can often be resolved.
Vaginismus is a sexual dysfunction that prevents the penis from entering the vagina during sexual intercourse as a result of involuntary contraction of the muscles at the entrance to the vagina. In women with vaginismus, the muscles at the entrance to the vagina involuntarily contract during sexual intercourse or in situations such as inserting a tampon, preventing entry into the vagina. Vaginismus is estimated to be a common sexual dysfunction. According to research, it is estimated that approximately 10% of women have vaginismus.
What causes vaginismus?
Vaginismus is a difficult condition for women, both physically and psychologically. Although the causes of vaginismus are not fully known, vaginismus may be caused by many factors. The most common cause of vaginismus is psychological factors. A traumatic sexual experience, negative thoughts or fears about sexuality can cause vaginismus. For example, a woman may fear that she will experience pain or soreness during sexual intercourse. These fears may cause the woman to involuntarily contract the muscles of the vagina.
There are also some physiological factors that can cause vaginismus. For example, congenitally narrow vagina or overdeveloped vaginal muscles may cause vaginismus. Overdevelopment of the vaginal muscles can make it difficult for the penis to enter the vagina during sexual intercourse. This may cause the woman to involuntarily contract the muscles of the vagina. Vaginismus symptoms are:
- Pain or soreness during sexual intercourse
- avoiding sexual intercourse
- Loss of sexual desire
Vaginismus is perhaps one of the issues that many women suffer from. In this context, one of the most frequently asked questions is “What should I do to overcome vaginismus?” is the question. It is not possible to talk about a single approach to the treatment of vaginismus. Vaginismus treatment may require a multidisciplinary approach. However, sexual therapy is usually applied in the treatment of vaginismus. In sexual therapy, the therapist helps the woman with vaginismus reduce her fears and anxieties about sexuality. Additionally, the woman with vaginismus is taught exercises that help her learn to relax the muscles of the vagina. The main methods used in the treatment of vaginismus are:
- Sexual therapy: Sexual therapy is the most effective method in the treatment of vaginismus. In sexual therapy, the therapist helps the woman with vaginismus reduce her fears and anxieties about sexuality. Additionally, the woman with vaginismus is taught exercises that help her learn to relax the muscles of the vagina.
- Kegel exercises: Kegel exercises are exercises that help strengthen the muscles of the vagina. Kegel exercises can help women with vaginismus learn to control the muscles of the vagina during sexual intercourse.
- Deep relaxation techniques: Deep relaxation techniques are techniques that help muscles relax. Deep relaxation techniques can help women with vaginismus learn to relax the muscles of the vagina during sexual intercourse.
- Medication: In some cases, drug therapy can also be applied in the treatment of vaginismus. Medication can help a woman with vaginismus reduce pain or suffering during sexual intercourse.
How many sessions does vaginismus treatment take?
The duration of vaginismus treatment may vary depending on the woman’s condition. Generally, vaginismus treatment takes 8-12 sessions. The severity and degree of vaginismus may affect the duration of treatment. For example, the duration of treatment may be longer in women with severe vaginismus. Women’s compliance with therapy may also affect the duration of treatment. For example, in women who are willing and compliant with therapy, the duration of treatment may be shorter. The following stages are generally followed in the treatment of vaginismus:
- Education: In the first stage, the therapist explains the causes and symptoms of vaginismus to the woman with vaginismus. It also teaches the methods used in the treatment of vaginismus.
- Reducing anxiety: At this stage, the therapist helps the woman with vaginismus reduce her fears and anxieties about sexuality.
- Muscle relaxation: Therapist teaches the woman with vaginismus to relax the muscles of the vagina.
Couple therapy is often also used in the treatment of vaginismus. Couples therapy can help the couple change their false beliefs and attitudes about sexual intercourse. The success rate in vaginismus treatment is high. With correct and appropriate treatment, the majority of women with vaginismus can have sexual intercourse.