Vaginismus is a condition affecting women where vaginal penetration for the purpose of intercourse, or gynaecological examination, or Pap smear or any other such activity is either extremely painful or impossible.
There are some other conditions which can result in painful sex, like endometriosis and this must be differentiated from those conditions. Vaginismus would not allow even superficial penetration whereas endometriosis would result in pain from deep penetration.
Q What are the types of Vaginismus?
Vaginismus can be Primary wherein the woman has never been able to have penetrative sex or Secondary wherein the woman has developed this problem after maybe a vaginal infection or menopause or injury or irradiation for cancer.
Q Is it something voluntary?
Vaginismus results from involuntary spasm of specific muscles around the vagina which is not under the control of the woman. The woman does not however contract these muscles voluntarily.
Q Why does such a condition occur?
One is not very sure why this problem occurs but several theories are suggested:·
Psychological: A sense of hyper-responsiveness to touch maybe as a general nature or because of increased anxious personality.·
Past History: Sometimes Vaginismus maybe a result of a bad sexual event having occurred in the past.·
Muscle Dysfunction: Some researchers believe that Vaginismus maybe a result of abnormal contraction of the muscles surrounding the vagina probably by birth. The woman cannot differentiate between relaxed and tight vaginal muscles.
Q How is the diagnosis of Vaginismus made?
Your doctor will ask for a complete history and try and understand the exact nature of your problem. You would then be examined and during the course of this examination he or she would be able to understand the spasm of the muscles and also gauge the severity of it.
Q What is the treatment for Vaginismus?
A complex problem like Vaginismus cannot have a simple, one point approach. The treatment is a combination of Psychological counseling, Behavioral therapy, Use of Vaginal Dilators and use of Medicines like Botox to relax the muscles around the vaginal area.
Q What is the success of the treatment?
Success depends on involvement of the couple as pair rather than the woman as an individual. It depends on the pro-activeness of the woman to accept and embrace treatment and come for the counseling sessions and also follow instructions as given from the clinic. By and large success is almost 100% in most cases. However long term follow up is definitely required to ensure relapses don’t happen.