MamasHealth.com Home Women's Health Adenomyosis Atrophic vaginitis Bartholin's abscess Cervical dysplasia Cervical polyps Cervictis Depo provera Domestic violence Endometrial hyperplasia Endometrial polyps Endometriosis Escape an attacker Folic acid Finding time for sex Hormone therapy Alternatives How to be a better mom HPV scare Important health tests Labial reduction surgery Menorrhagia Menopause Menstrual cramps Midlife checklist Mittelschmerz Moms need friends too Ovarian cysts Painful sex Pelvic exams PID PMS Polycystic ovarian Preeclampsia Pregnancy Salpingitis Toxic shock syndrome 1 Toxic shock syndrome 2 Urinary incontinence Urinary tract infection Uterine bleeding Uterine fibroids Vaginal cysts Vaginal dryness Vaginal rejuvenation Vaginal warts Vaginismus Vaginitis Vulvar dystrophy Vulvitis Vulvodynia Women & calcium Women & medicine Women & heart Disease Yeast infections Links Email Mama Tips to get him in the mood Why women should care about prostate cancer Donating your eggs Help for rape victims Stay at home moms Women and calcium 9 things women should know about men Shy girls guide to flirting	What is Vaginismus? Vaginismus is a sexual dysfunction. It is an involuntary spasm of the muscles surrounding the vagina that closes the vagina. Vaginismus causes penetration to be difficult, painful, or even impossible. Vaginismus is very uncommon. It occurs in less than 2% of women in the US. What causes Vaginismus? Vaginismus is a complex condition that can be caused by many things. The most common causes are: sexual trauma or abuse, psychological factors, or a history of discomfort with sexual intercourse. In some cases, the cause cannot be determined. Symptoms of Vaginismus There are many symptoms of vaginismus. The most common symptoms are: Difficulty or inability to allow vaginal penetration for intercourse Vaginal pain with attempts at intercourse Vaginal pain during attempted pelvic exam How is Vaginismus Diagnosed? A gynecological examination is often used to confirm vaginismus. During the examination, there is usually an involuntary muscle contraction when fingers are inserted into the vagina, and this usually reproduces the pain the woman feels with intercourse. A medical history and complete exam is important to rule out other causes of pain with sexual intercourse. Can Vaginismus be Treated? Vaginismus can be treated . The treatment most often used is an extensive therapy program that combines education and counseling with behavioral exercises. Exercises include pelvic floor muscle contraction and relaxation (Kegel exercises) to improve voluntary control. Vaginal dilation exercises are recommended using plastic dilators. This should be done under the direction of a sex therapist or other health care provider and treatment should involve the partner. Educational treatment, including information about sexual anatomy, physiology, the sexual response cycle, and common myths about sex, should be provided as well.
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