Vaginismus is the most common problem of inability to have sexual intercourse in our country and all over the world. A permanent solution to this disease, which is the most common reason for admission to sexual dysfunction centers, is possible with appropriate treatment. How vaginismus is understood and what its symptoms are, vary from person to person.
What is the definition of vaginismus?
Vaginismus occurs during sexual intercourse. It can be defined as the inability of the penis to enter the vagina due to persistent and strong contractions in the outer 1/3 of the canal. In addition, it is the situation where the woman cannot insert tampons, suppositories, or fingers into her vagina despite her own will, or cannot undergo gynecological examination with an ultrasound probe or speculum device.
What is the cause of vaginismus?
While 90% of vaginismus is caused by mental concerns, 10% is due to anatomical problems. The psychological causes of vaginismus are strict social upbringing, sexual myths, inadequate sexual information, and bad sexual experiences. Anatomically, hymen problems and vaginal canal anomalies are the leading problems.
When does vaginismus occur?
Occurrence of vaginismus There are two types depending on the time: 'Primary Vaginismus' and 'Secondary Vaginismus'.
Primary vaginismus is the inability to have intercourse that has existed since the first attempt at sexual intercourse and continues to this day. In other words, it can be said as 'Lifelong vaginismus'.
Secondary vaginismus is a condition that occurs later. It is the inability to have sexual intercourse that develops later due to a traumatic gynecological examination or procedure, difficult birth, sexual harassment, psychiatric diseases and medications. It can also be said as 'acquired vaginismus'.
How to understand vaginismus?
Vaginismus disease shows many symptoms to be understood. . However, it mostly manifests itself by not having intercourse on the first night. Over time, the complaint of 'not being able to have intercourse at all' or 'experiencing partially painful intercourse' constitutes the reason for consulting a doctor. When the patients were questioned about their previous lives, they stated that they could not look at the vagina, They list complaints of varying degrees, such as not being able to insert a finger, not being able to use tampons, not being able to insert a suppository, not being able to go to a gynecological examination and not being able to get on the examination table, not being able to undress and dress in front of others, not being able to touch their genital area, and even not being able to clean their own genital area.
Is vaginismus a disease?
Yes. Vaginismus is a common sexual dysfunction and has been defined as a disease.
Vaginismus and dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse) are classified as Genital Pelvic Pain and Penetration Disorder in the classification of Female Sexual Dysfunction within the 2013 DSM-5 diagnostic criteria by the American Psychiatric Association. ) is accepted as a disease.
How is Vaginismus Treatment?
Each patient should be evaluated individually and according to his/her condition. should be included in a sexual therapy program.
In the treatment of vaginismus, based on Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy (CBT), hypnotherapy, acupuncture, EMDR, botulinum toxin applications, surgical methods and sometimes combinations of these methods are applied according to the patient's needs with a holistic approach.
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