Vaginismus, which is the most common sexual dysfunction in women, is a health problem seen in approximately 2% of women. Vaginismus disease, which is more common in our country, Asian and Far East countries compared to Western countries, is caused by the automatic reflex that occurs in the female genitalia during the penetration of the penis into the vagina. Contraction of the female genitalia can make sexual intercourse impossible or difficult. On the basis of vaginismus, which is a psychological disease, there is also the effect of feelings such as fear of sexual intercourse and shame. In vaginismus, which is very common in our country, the disease can be completely treated with psychological treatments and some exercises that help control the vaginal muscles. For this reason, it is beneficial for women who have this problem to consult health professionals and receive treatment without any embarrassment. A definition can be made as the involuntary strong contraction of the vaginal muscles during pregnancy and preventing sexual intercourse. During the penetration of the penis or another object, the muscles of the vagina contract in a way that the individual cannot control. This does not cause the individual not to enjoy other sexual activities.
However, it may prevent sexual intercourse involving penetration or cause the intercourse to be quite painful for the woman. The same contraction reflex may also interfere with the use of vaginal tampons and gynecological examination. The contraction problem in vaginismus patients may occur even when the vaginal area is only touched. This condition, which is a sexual dysfunction, negatively affects the patient's relationship with his partner and quality of life.
The point that the patient should know is that both men and women may encounter sexual dysfunctions and most of them are treatable. Therefore, patients who have this problem should not see the situation as a source of error, deficiency or embarrassment and should apply to health institutions to get treatment.
What are the Symptoms of Vaginismus?
Vaginismu The symptoms seen in s disease may differ from person to person. However, the problems that patients commonly express and can also be called vaginismus symptoms include the following:
- Pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse
- Difficult entry of the penis into the vagina
- Inability to have sexual intercourse because penetration cannot occur
- Pain during tampon insertion or gynecological examination
- Experiencing general muscle spasms during sexual intercourse
What are the Causes of Vaginismus?
Factors that are effective in the development of vaginismus are generally of psychological origin. In societies where sexuality is considered taboo, being brought up with this way of thinking from childhood is considered one of the most important causes of vaginismus. Many situations such as the concept of honor, the hymen, the fear of the first night, the feeling of pain during the first sexual intercourse, the history of abuse, abuse and rape can lead to the development of vaginismus.
The answer to the question of what causes vaginal contraction is usually the subconscious effect of such approaches. However, in some cases, the problem of vaginismus may occur even in women who have not grown up in a society with this understanding, and even in women who have previously experienced full sexual intercourse without any problems. In some cases, the feeling of inadequacy, anxiety, panic, excessive stress and body image problems in women may also play a role in the development of vaginismus.
All these are among the psychological causes of the disease and approximately 90% of all cases are psychologically based. However, some physical problems may also be effective in vaginismus disease. Other causes of vaginismus apart from psychological factors include:
- Normal length of vagina the shortest
- The presence of a curtain in the vagina
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- The presence of vaginal infections
- Structural disorders such as thick and hard hymen The presence of
- Bartholin's cysts and abscesses
- Vulvar vestibulitis disease
Primary Vaginismus
The inability of the penis to enter the vagina due to the involuntary contraction of the vaginal muscles at the first sexual intercourse is called primary vaginismus. In women with primary vaginismus problem, contractions are also seen in other situations such as touching the vagina, placing a suppository or tampon in the vagina, having a gynecological examination by vaginal route. Fear and anxieties about the first sexual intercourse are the most important factors that play a role in the development of this type of vaginismus. It is the emergence of vaginismus after traumatic situations such as childbirth, miscarriage, abortion, a painful gynecological examination. Fear of sexual intercourse due to the traumatic factors in secondary vaginismus is the most important factor of the disease. First of all, detailed information is obtained about the problems experienced in patients who apply to their institutions. Then the physician usually takes you to the examination chair to see and examine the vaginal area. In this examination, it is generally not necessary to enter the vagina with any device.
Exclusion of various disease possibilities such as infection and reaction of vaginal muscles This examination is very important for the examination of This examination, which can be called the vaginismus test among the people, usually does not take more than a few minutes. If a vaginismus problem is detected as a result of the examination, the necessary information is given to the patient. Different examinations and diagnostic tests may be required to investigate whether there is a physical problem that may cause the disease.
Those diagnosed patients who do not have a structural problem are usually referred to therapists, psychiatrists and psychologists specialized in the field of sexual intercourse.
How is Vaginismus Disease Treated?
The majority of patients with vaginismus problems The answers to questions such as how is the treatment for vaginismus disease, what are the vaginismus treatment methods and how vaginismus therapy is done are a matter of curiosity. The two main purposes in the vaginismus treatment process are to manage the emotions related to penetration and to prepare gradually for penetration with the help of certain exercises. By applying psychosexual therapies to patients, it is aimed to understand the patient's feelings about the body and gender and to change their problematic thoughts.
In these speech therapies, it is useful to talk to the partner and explain that the patient should be understanding, patient and motivating during the treatment process. In addition, the patient can be informed about relaxation techniques such as some exercises, breathing techniques, gentle touch techniques and mindfulness practices that will allow the patient to relax their vaginal muscles. Regularly performing exercises in the form of tightening and releasing the vaginal muscles, known as pelvic floor exercises, can enable the patient to take control of the vaginal muscles. In addition, exercises can be recommended with the help of tampons of different sizes and smooth objects of suitable quality so that the patient can gradually get used to the introduction of an object into his vagina.
After the necessary training about these exercises is given by experts at the beginning, the patients are directed to continue these practices at home. In some of the patients, the use of creams that help numb the vulvovaginal area, also known as vaginismus medicine, may be recommended by the physician. However, this is not a treatment method, it is an application that can be preferred only for relieving the habituation process. The vast majority of vaginismus cases can be completely treated with the help of psychological therapies without the need for any operation. Therefore, you can overcome this problem as soon as possible and improve your quality of life.
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