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Leilani
VAGINIMUS-The Aftermath Of Sexual Abuse
~5.6 mins read
Vaginismus is involuntary contraction of
muscles around the opening of the vagina
in women with no abnormalities in the
genital organs. The tight muscle
contraction makes sexual intercourse or
any sexual activity that involves
penetration painful or impossible.
For some women, the vaginal muscles
involuntarily or persistently contract when they
attempt vaginal penetration. This is called
vaginismus. The contractions can prevent sexual
intercourse or make it very painful.
This can happen:
as the partner attempts penetration
when a woman inserts a tampon
when a woman is touched near the vaginal
area
Vaginismus doesn’t interfere with sexual
arousal, but it can prevent penetration.
A gentle pelvic exam typically shows no cause of
the contractions. No physical abnormalities
contribute to the condition.
Sexual dysfunction can occur in both males and
females and can usually be treated.
It’s not your fault, and it’s nothing to be
ashamed of. Nevertheless, these disorders can
interfere with your relationships and your
quality of life.
Experts don’t know exactly how many women
have vaginismus, but the condition is considered
to be uncommon.
primary vaginismus: when vaginal penetration
has never been achieved
secondary vaginismus: when vaginal
penetration was once achieved, but is no longer
possible, potentially due to factors such as
gynecologic surgery, trauma, or radiation
Some women develop vaginismus after
menopause. When estrogen levels drop, a lack
of vaginal lubrication and elasticity makes
intercourse painful, stressful, or impossible. This
can lead to vaginismus in some women.
Dyspareunia
Dyspareunia is the medical term for painful
sexual intercourse. It’s often confused with
vaginismus.
However, dyspareunia could be due to:
cysts
pelvic inflammatory disease
vaginal atrophy
There’s not always a reason for vaginismus.
The condition has been linked to:
past sexual abuse or trauma
past painful intercourse
emotional factors
In some cases, no direct cause can be found.
To make a diagnosis, your doctor will do a
physical exam and ask about your medical and
sexual history. These histories can help give
clues to the underlying cause of the
contractions.
Involuntary tightening of the vaginal muscles is
the primary symptom of vaginismus, but the
severity of the condition varies between women.
In all cases, constriction of the vagina makes
penetration difficult or impossible.
If you have vaginismus, you can’t manage or
stop the contractions of your vaginal muscles.
Vaginismus can have additional symptoms,
including fear of vaginal penetration and
decreased sexual desire related to penetration.
Women with vaginismus often report a burning
or stinging pain when anything is inserted into
the vagina.
If you have vaginismus, it doesn’t mean that
you’ll stop enjoying sexual activities altogether.
Women who have the condition can still feel and
crave sexual pleasure and have orgasms.
Many sexual activities don’t involve
penetration, including:
oral sex
massage
masturbation
Diagnosis of vaginismus usually begins with
describing your symptoms. Your doctor will likely
ask:
when you first noticed a problem
how often it occurs
what seems to trigger it
Typically, your doctor will also ask about your
sexual history, which may include questions
about whether you’ve ever experienced sexual
trauma or abuse.
In general, diagnosis and treatment of
vaginismus require a pelvic exam.
It’s common for women with vaginismus to be
nervous or fearful about pelvic exams. If your
doctor recommends a pelvic exam, you can
discuss ways to make the exam as comfortable
as possible for you.
Some women prefer not to use stirrups and to
try different physical positions for the exam. You
may feel more at ease if you can use a mirror to
see what your doctor is doing.
When a doctor suspects vaginismus, they’ll
generally perform the exam as gently as they
can.
They may suggest that you help guide their
hand or medical instruments into your vagina to
make penetration easier. You can ask your
doctor to explain every step of the exam to you
as they go along.
During the exam, your doctor will look for any
sign of infection or scarring.
In vaginismus, there’s no physical reason for
the vaginal muscles to contract. That means, if
you have vaginismus, your doctor won’t find
another cause for your symptoms.
Vaginismus is a treatable disorder. Treatment
usually includes education, counseling, and
exercises.
Sex therapy and counseling
Education typically involves learning about your
anatomy and what happens during sexual
arousal and intercourse. You’ll get information
about the muscles involved in vaginismus, too.
This can help you understand how the parts of
the body work and how your body is
responding.
Counseling may involve you alone or with your
partner. Working with a counselor who
specializes in sexual disorders may be helpful.
Relaxation techniques and hypnosis may also
promote relaxation and help you feel more
comfortable with intercourse.
Vaginal dilators
Your doctor or counselor may recommend
learning to use vaginal dilators under the
supervision of a professional.
Place the cone-shaped dilators in your vagina.
The dilators will get progressively bigger. This
helps the vaginal muscles stretch and become
flexible.
To increase intimacy, have your partner help
you insert the dilators. After completing the
course of treatment with a set of dilators, you
and your partner can try to have intercourse
again.
Physical therapy
If you have a hard time using dilators on your
own, obtain a referral to a physical therapist
who specializes in the pelvic floor .
They can help you:
learn more on how to use dilators
learn about deep relaxation techniques
Sexual dysfunction can take a toll on
relationships. Being proactive and getting
treatment can be crucial in saving a marriage or
relationship.
It’s important to remember that there’s
nothing to be ashamed of. Talking with your
partner about your feelings and fears about
intercourse may help you feel more relaxed.
Your doctor or therapist can provide you with
ways to overcome vaginismus. Many people
recover and go on to live happy sexual lives.
Scheduling treatment sessions with a sex
therapist may be beneficial. Using lubrication or
certain sexual positions can help make sexual
intercourse more comfortable.
SAY NO TO SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ABUSE!!
To you it might be a form of enjoyment but to the abused its not pleasant and carries disheartening consequences.
I am leilani...
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