About Vaginismus
Frequently Asked Questions
Vaginismus can be simply described as the inability to get a foreign object into the vagina. The diagnosis is made when sexual intercourse is either absent or partially painful.
Vaginismus is the most common reason for consulting a doctor among sexual problems. Most of the time, couples cannot accept this disease, which they have never even heard of, at first. They usually think of it as ‘first night fear’ and leave it to time. However, with persistent and unchanging contractions despite the passage of time, they begin to research “What is vaginismus?” At this stage, they become acquainted with ‘Vaginismus’ and start searching for ‘Vaginismus treatment’.
What is Vaginismus? Vaginismus can be simply described as the inability to get a foreign object into the vagina. The diagnosis is made when sexual intercourse is either absent or partially painful. In addition, not being able to have a vaginal examination, not being able to have a smear taken, and not being able to use a vaginal tampon or suppository are indicators of vaginismus.
The medical definition of vaginismus is the reflexive, involuntary and repetitive contraction of the outer 1/3 muscle group of the vaginal canal during sexual intercourse. As a result, sexual intercourse cannot occur and may even turn into a panic attack-like situation in some patients.
What Causes Vaginismus? Vaginismus is a condition encountered by one in 10 women in our country. The causes of vaginismus are psychological and anatomical factors. While 90% of the causes of vaginismus are psychological, 10% have anatomical problems.
Generally, the psychological reason is that the subconscious is filled with ‘sexual myths’. Let’s examine in more detail the psychological reasons that we can also call this ‘superstition’, which is popularly known as ‘first night fear’.
Psychological Factors Psychological causes of vaginismus; Mistakes in upbringing, situations such as past harassment or sexual abuse, and sexual traumas are inadequate or exaggerated information about sexuality.
“Sexual myths” are at the root of psychological factors to a significant extent. Although sexual myths are unrealistic, they are discourses that are accepted by the public with absolute belief.
The most commonly heard sexual myths; Heavy bleeding on the first night. The opening of the hymen will be in the form of bursting. Sexual intercourse being very painful. Death after intercourse on the first night. There will be a blockage during the first sexual intercourse (penis captivus myth). The vagina is too narrow or closed. The penis is entering the wrong hole (anus, urinary hole).
ANATOMICAL FACTORS
- The most common problem among the anatomical causes of vaginismus is hymen problems. Hymens that do not appear physically normal;
- Imperforate hymen, that is, completely closed hymen,
- High-rimmed hymen,
- Webbed hymen,
- Hymen with holes like a sieve,
- In addition, congenital vaginal development disorders (short vagina, blind vagina), giant condylomas (warts), vaginal canal cysts and tumors constitute anatomical obstacles that prevent sexual intercourse.
- The problem of vaginismus disappears with the treatment of these conditions, which can be diagnosed with a correct gynecological examination.
What are the Symptoms of Vaginismus? Vaginismus is an introversion problem. For this reason, diagnosis can be made with other findings other than just the inability to have sexual intercourse.
The most common findings are;
- Lack of sexual intercourse,
- Partial but painful sexual intercourse,
- Inability to insert a tampon or vagina into the vagina,
- Not being able to touch the vagina with a finger,
- Not being able to touch the genital area or allowing the spouse/partner to touch it,
- Not being able to do personal hygiene or having waxing or epilation
- Not being able to have a gynecological examination
- Not being able to have an ultrasound probe or speculum inserted during the examination
- Not being able to stand naked when the spouse/partner is present and not allowing one’s body to be touched in general.
Even the presence of only one of these findings may raise suspicion of vaginismus. Diagnosis is usually not made until the first sexual experience. However, some patients come to the hospital already aware of these symptoms.
What are the Types of Vaginismus? There are different types of vaginismus disease.
Types of Vaginismus Primary Vaginismus (Primary Vaginismus) Primary vaginismus is an ongoing and unresolved problem since the first sexual experience. It is also called ‘lifelong vaginismus’. Most patients are diagnosed as primary vaginismus.
Secondary Vaginismus (Secondary vaginismus) It means that the vaginismus disease occurs later. It is also called ‘acquired vaginismus’. This situation usually occurs after a triggering event, even though there was a normal sexual intercourse in the past. Secondary vaginismus can often develop after a difficult, traumatic, painful and painful birth. It can also be seen after an abortion, difficult gynecological examination, or painful sexual intercourse. It is much less common than primary vaginismus.
General Vaginismus It means that the vaginismus problem exists in all situations independent of the partner, place and relationship. It is also called ‘generalized vaginismus’. As a result, no matter what age or whomever she marries, a woman will experience vaginismus problems.
Situational Vaginismus Unlike general vaginismus, it is a vaginismus condition that occurs depending on a certain partner, place or relationship. Although it is rarer, the vaginismus problem will be solved when these conditions change.
Partial Vaginismus In this type of patients, a part of the penis can enter the vagina, albeit painfully. It is also called ‘partial vaginismus’. As a result of partial intercourse, pregnancy may occur and miracle babies may be born.
How is Vaginismus Diagnosed? Vaginismus is a disease that couples research and learn about, usually as a result of not having intercourse on the first night. A definitive diagnosis can be made after a gynecologist examination. When making a diagnosis, detailed patient history information is obtained and a very short, visual gynecological examination is performed.
Vaginismus, Is Gynecological Examination Necessary? The gynecological examination performed when diagnosing vaginismus is different from the general examination. It is an external, visual evaluation performed on a gynecological examination table, without using any instruments. With this examination, the diagnosis and degree of the disease are determined. Additionally, if there is an anatomical problem, it will be obvious.
Vaginismus Treatment Vaginismus is a disease that can be treated. However, a common mistake is to postpone the treatment, believing that it will pass over time. As time passes, the degree of vaginismus disease may progress and the treatment period may be extended. For vaginismus treatment, it is necessary to consult a specialist physician as soon as possible. It is a sexual dysfunction that is common in our country and all over the world. It is especially common in traditional Turkish society. 1 in 10 women face this problem.
Vaginismus occurs due to both psychological and physical obstacles. Vaginismus disease, other than simple first night fears, is noticed in the later days of marriage. Couples’ perspectives on this situation vary. However, the fact that needs to be known is that; Vaginismus does not go away on its own, and the degree of vaginismus gets worse during the waiting period for recovery. Leaving the treatment of vaginismus disease to time, postponing it and thinking that it will go away on its own are the most common mistakes. This disease also causes spousal and marital problems in couples who leave vaginismus to time thinking that it will go away on its own.
How is Vaginismus Treatment? Vaginismus is a treatable disease and treatments are personalized. Based on Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy (CBT), based on a holistic approach and depending on the condition and cause of the disease, hypnotherapy, acupuncture, EMDR, botulinum toxin applications, surgical methods and sometimes combinations of these methods are among the methods applied. In our clinic, a permanent solution is achieved with such treatments in an average of 3 to 5 days.
Vaginismus Treatment Prices Vaginismus treatment is planned individually. Treatment protocols are determined according to the needs of each couple, and prices vary accordingly. We recommend that you come for an examination to get detailed information about vaginismus and create a treatment plan.