Vaginismus is the occurrence of pain and suffering when trying to have sexual intercourse, even though there is no abnormality or infection in the genital organs; It is a situation where the vagina becomes tense as a result of involuntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscles, which includes the vagina, making sexual intercourse difficult or making sexual intercourse very painful.
The reaction of our brain to feelings of anxiety and fear is a flight or fight response. This response occurs automatically and does not change depending on the stimulus. The only thing our brain takes into consideration here is what the emotion is. Feelings of anxiety and fear are generally reactions to situations that endanger the organism, and the brain has to make quick decisions in order to survive. He does not say, "Let me take a look, what is the fear, let me evaluate this first, maybe there is no danger." This mechanism in the brain is very valuable and necessary for the survival of living things. However, this mechanism can sometimes make our lives difficult through conditioning.
Think of phobias, cat phobia... The cat is not an animal that causes harm under normal circumstances. However, if a person has a memory about a cat, a story he or she hears, or sees someone else's fearful reaction to a cat, a person may experience a feeling of anxiety and fear about the cat, as well as the behavior of running away from the cat.
So how does this explanation relate to vaginismus? Is there any interest in it?
The culture we live in teaches people a lot. Sexuality is also affected by culture. What that culture teaches about sexuality affects a person's sexual life. Now let's think about it: Why does a woman who marries lovingly and willingly feel anxiety and fear on the first night? Because the stories she had heard before created an expectation of pain and suffering in that woman. When our hand comes close to something hot, we immediately remove it because we expect it to hurt. In the same way, pain and expectation of pain cause involuntary contraction in the muscles, causing the woman to close her legs and push away from her partner. If a person hears stories that do not reflect the truth about bleeding women who were bleeding profusely during their growth period and who had difficulty getting to the hospital, or about partners being locked up during sexual intercourse and separated with a crowbar in the hospital; ko by family If they are brought up with fear, if they are embarrassed or intimidated by their questions about sexuality, if they are asked, “Are you going to be the one with us?” If it gets reactions, our brain will perceive this event as something very scary, painful, or something dirty that should be avoided; will naturally react to escape to protect itself; The muscles will contract involuntarily, making it difficult to have intercourse.
Sexual Cycle
Another factor that causes vaginismus is not acting in accordance with the sexual cycle during sexual activity. The sexual cycle;
1. Sexual Desire
2. Sexual Arousal (Foreplay)
3. Sexual Intercourse
4. Orgasm
5. Dissolution
stages is formed. Sometimes sexual arousal occurs before sexual desire, and sexual desire may occur after stimulation. In cases of vaginismus that occur on the first night, couples do not proceed in accordance with this sexual cycle, and pain and pain occur as the vagina enters the intercourse phase before it is ready for sexual intercourse. The reason for the occurrence of soreness and pain is that sexual arousal, which should last 12-15 minutes, that is, the shorter foreplay phase, results in insufficient secretion in the vagina, low lubrication and pain and pain due to friction. In this case, the woman again pushes her husband and does not allow intercourse. In subsequent attempts, involuntary contractions make intercourse difficult because of the conditioning that it will hurt. Apart from these, situations such as sexually traumatic events experienced in childhood, the meanings placed on the hymen, society's desire to see blood after the first night, and forced marriage can also cause vaginismus.
Solution in Vaginismus
Vaginismus cases constitute the majority of women who seek help due to sexual dysfunction and approximately It is thought that one in every 10 women has a vaginismus problem.
A woman suffering from vaginismus is helped with a cognitive and behavioral approach.
Cognitive approach. In treatment, dysfunctional thoughts and beliefs about sexuality are addressed and the method we call cognitive restructuring is applied, and the meanings the person attributes to sexuality are reframed. The presence of psychological traumas experienced in the past is checked and necessary psychotherapeutic intervention is performed. In addition, the person is educated about the structure and function of the sexual organs and the changes that occur in the body and genitals during sexual intercourse.
In the behavioral approach, discovering the pelvic floor muscles by performing kegel exercise and teaching how to voluntarily contract and relax these muscles; Bringing the person to a mentally and physically comfortable state by teaching breathing relaxation and muscle relaxation techniques; Regulations such as systematic desensitization of the vagina to any contact are applied.
If there is an underlying trauma, this trauma also needs to be addressed with therapeutic interventions. Vaginismus can disappear without addressing the trauma, but the burden that the trauma brings to the person will somehow affect the person's life. If it caused vaginismus today, it may cause another psychosomatic problem or problems such as painful sexual intercourse and sexual reluctance tomorrow.
Vaginismus is a problem that can be solved very easily and quickly when addressed with an experienced sexual therapist. The number of people who do not seek help even though they have been experiencing this problem for years is quite high. It is necessary for couples experiencing this problem to receive support for a happy relationship.
For individuals who have concerns about sexuality before marriage, it is important to receive sexual counseling service in order to prevent possible problems in the future. Addressing the problems experienced in the couple's relationship is also necessary for the couple to have a healthy sexual life. Couples who know how to listen to each other, show interest in each other, spend quality time together, pay attention to each other's wishes and expectations, and know how to express their wishes and expectations appropriately will undoubtedly have a happier sexual life.
Read: 0
