What is a Vaginismus?
Vaginismus is a sensitive issue that affects many women but is often not talked about. We want to change that because estimates suggest that around 15 to 30 percent of all women are affected by vaginismus. So you see, vaginal cramps are a normal issue that should be discussed. Perhaps you also suffer from vaginismus or simply want to learn more about it? Maybe you are specifically looking for ways to counteract vaginismus and train your pelvic floor ? This article provides an overview of ‘ what is vaginismus’ and everything related to it. From causes and symptoms to treatment options and preventive measures: Keep reading to gain a deeper insight into this topic.
What is Vaginismus?
First of all, the question naturally arises : What exactly is vaginismus? Vaginismus, also known as vaginal cramp, is a sexual dysfunction characterized by spasmodic pain in the vagina during sexual activities. The spasm occurs reflexively and involuntarily, making the penetration of objects such as the penis, fingers, or tampons painful or even impossible. There are two main types of vaginismus: Primary vaginismus, which exists from the beginning, and Secondary vaginismus, which occurs after a period of painless sexual activity (or tampon insertion) and intensifies.
Causes of Vaginismus
The causes of vaginismus can be diverse. Psychological factors such as fears of pain or previous traumatic experiences as well as fears of experiencing them can play a role, just as physical causes can. For example, those who are afraid of pain often tense up on their own. Vaginismus can therefore worsen over time as the mind warns against the pain already experienced, causing the body to tense up even more. However, physical causes can also lead to vaginismus. Physical causes of vaginismus can be diverse and range from anatomical factors to medical conditions. Anatomical anomalies, such as unusual constrictions or structural abnormalities in the vaginal region, can lead to the body reflexively reacting to the penetration of objects. In addition, infections or inflammations in the pelvic area can cause pain and tension that contribute to vaginismus. Scar tissue from surgeries or injuries can also affect normal flexibility.
In addition, hormonal changes, especially during menopause, can affect vaginal tissue and lead to discomfort. It is important to emphasize that physical causes often interact with psychological factors, making the diagnosis and treatment of vaginismus a complex matter that requires careful examination by professionals.
Symptoms of Vaginismus
The symptoms of vaginismus primarily manifest during sexual activities and can vary from woman to woman. A key feature is the involuntary and painful spasm of the muscles in the vaginal area, which makes penetration difficult or even impossible with objects such as the penis, fingers, or other items. This spasm can range from mild discomfort to intense pain. While the symptoms mainly appear during sex, they can also occur in daily life.
Women with vaginismus may also experience difficulties inserting a tampon or during gynecological examinations, for example. Just as the causes of vaginal muscle spasms can be both physical and psychological, the symptoms also manifest in both fields. Vaginismus can have significant effects on emotional well-being as well. Affected women may develop fear of sexual activities, leading to tensions in relationships. Recognizing and understanding these symptoms is crucial for early diagnosis and the start of individualized treatment.
Treatment and Therapeutic Approaches for Vaginismus
The treatment of vaginismus requires a holistic approach. Therapy can range from psychotherapeutic measures to physical exercises and targeted pelvic floor training with a pelvic floor trainer or exercises like Kegel exercises . Vaginismus can also be relieved through targeted therapeutic approaches such as relaxation exercises or the gradual insertion of progressively larger objects. Medication approaches can also be helpful in some cases. Women should seek advice from a healthcare professional in this regard. However, even in non-pharmacological approaches, it is recommended to seek medical advice and approach treatment openly and holistically.
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Pelvic Floor Training as an Integral Part of Treatment
An important aspect in dealing with vaginismus, which you can often implement at home yourself, is pelvic floor training. Although professional advice from a doctor, midwife, or similar is also valuable here, especially if you want to take a preventive approach, good pelvic floor training is often the first step. The pelvic floor is a complex muscle group that includes, among other things, the vaginal muscles. Targeted training can release tensions and help affected women learn to better control their muscles in this area. Early training sensitizes women, allowing them to better understand and control their pelvic floor muscles.
For better intimate life
As mentioned above, vaginismus can have completely different causes, including psychologically induced fears of pain, traumatic experiences, or physical factors. Conversely, women with vaginismus often experience not only physical but also psychological stress, which can in turn affect their partnership or their daily life. Open communication, professional help, and targeted therapy approaches can pave the way to healing, which is also beneficial for your relationship. You should not hesitate to seek professional help to improve your quality of life and address possible issues in your partnership. By the way, targeted pelvic floor training can never hurt, even without vaginismus, but on the contrary, can significantly contribute to a more fulfilling sexual life. So, don’t wait for problems to arise; instead, approach the matter preventively and actively.
Vaginismus: Many women struggle with it
Vaginismus is not a rare phenomenon. Rather, it is a topic that deserves attention and understanding. Raising awareness about vaginismus can help women seek help early and take preventive measures, such as pelvic floor training, to overcome this challenge. Are you suffering from vaginismus? You are not alone, and there is no reason to be ashamed. Estimates suggest that between 15 and 30% of women today suffer from vaginismus. Therefore, this phenomenon should not be silenced and should be a non-taboo topic for all of us.
Conclusion
The topic of vaginismus is complex and important. In this article, we gave a brief overview of where vaginismus can come from, how many women suffer from these vaginal spasms, and what you can do about it. It is important to emphasize once again that the mind often plays a role in this condition and that you can do a lot against vaginismus yourself through targeted pelvic floor training at home with Emy kegel trainer for pelvic floor relaxation, open communication that relieves pressure, and some relaxation exercises. And this can be done preventively as well.
