Discover ways to diagnose and reverse the situation
If you experience pain during sex or can’t penetrate, please read this article carefully. You could be with vaginismusalso known as genital pelvic/penetration pain disorder.
Characterized as a female sexual dysfunction, this phenomenon occurs when the vaginal muscles contract involuntarily. That is, even if you don’t send the commands to do so, your vagina closes and makes penetration impossible.
OR vaginismus It’s about something very intimate. And therefore little is said about the topic, even within a circle of friends. For most people, the embarrassment that exposure can cause is so great that it influences research and studies.
According to the latest edition of the Statistical and Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), developed by the American Psychiatric Association, in 2014, 15% of North American women suffer from this disorder.
However, the margin for error is estimated to be high as, out of shame, many women do not seek help when suffering from this condition. This happens because that when they feel ashamed, they often don’t seek help and don’t tell healthcare professionals.
Analyzing the search for the word “pain during sexual intercourse” on Google, we noticed a 40% increase in the number of searches. This leads us to believe that, in recent years, women feel more encouraged to seek support, even anonymously.
According to the DSM-5, a manual used worldwide by health professionals as a reference for dysfunction, dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse) and vaginismus they came together in the nomenclature.
Vaginal women – who I am with vaginismus – they always had dyspareunia. And even those who had this problem showed signs of it vaginismus. This is why, among healthcare professionals, the term has begun to be used as genital/pelvic pain disorder/penetration.
However, these two terms are still commonly used among women going through this situation, and even from us professionals to patients, as they are easier to explain and detail.
Vaginismus: how to diagnose it
For diagnostic purposes, this disorder can present in several ways. In some women, the muscle simply closes and they feel pain when they try to insert something into the vaginal muscles. Others feel, in addition to pain, Touch burn or burn.
Sometimes the vagina closes only in specific cases, such as the partner’s penis. In others, for any type of penetration performed by another person: fingers (examination or sexual act) or toys. There are still cases in which no act of penetration is accepted: tampons, ointment applicators or menstrual cups.
Additionally, pain can occur not only in the vagina, but also in parts of the vulva, such as the pelvis and subabdomen. And this can happen during sexual intercourse, during foreplay, during attempts or after intercourse. Intense fear or anxiety of experiencing pain during penetration is also characterized as a disorder.
The causes and types of vaginismus
This involuntary contraction of the vagina, which prevents penetration or causes a lot of pain, occurs as a result of the body’s defense. Subconsciously, the brain believes that, somehow, there is a threat in this act.
This stigma can to exist for two reasons: physical blockage – compliant hymen, infection, sexually transmitted disease, bartholinitis etc. – or mental block – religious or family education, beliefs and traumas.
In each of these cases, the vaginismus it can manifest itself from the first attempt at penetration (vaginismus primary) or after some phenomenon (vaginismus secondary).
The first case is very common, for example, in women who are saved until after marriage by choice, religious reasons or parental advice. After repressing sexual urges for a while, the body usually develops them as a defense mechanism.
The secondary condition can arise after an abusive situation, an abortion, a difficult birth, gynecological surgeries, or hormonal changes. Women can develop this disorder even when they do not have sexual intercourse for a long time or if they have sexual intercourse continuously, but without feeling pleasure.
Is vaginismus curable?
Over the course of my 10-year career, I have treated many women with this condition and almost all of them have managed to resolve it. the situation. The biggest difficulty in the process is emotional.
A the pelvic region contains deep emotions and, therefore, the rate of women who self-sabotage is very high. Therefore, it is important to address the accumulated wounds. Hard work is required on the part of both the professional and the patient.
It is worth remembering that trying to solve the problem on your own or with the help of professionals who do not specialize in sexuality is not the best solution.
Using tranquilizers, local anesthetics, or alcoholic beverages to achieve muscle relaxation can make the condition worse.
It may be that, as you read the entire article, you try to identify in your story what brought you this defense mechanism. But often there are several signals together that trigger this, and not necessarily just one thing.
Therefore, to correct this dysfunction, professional support specializing in sexuality is needed. He will be able to indicate the necessary psychological and physical interventions, as well as changes in sexual habits and intimate hygiene depending on each woman. Each case must be treated individually.
For example, when a girl who is still a virgin hears from all her friends that the first time hurts, she may end up generating this belief within herself. It is very likely, therefore, that during her first intercourse, she will be so afraid of feeling pain that, in an act of protection, the vagina will close. As an effect looping, This situation can further strengthen your initial belief.
In this case, in addition to mentally unlocking the limiting belief, the girl must also undergo body (physical) work to relax the muscles. An integrated treatment that involves mind, body and behavior. Using drugs alone will not work.
The mail Vaginismus can cause pain during sexual intercourse appeared first Personalize.
Roberta Struzani (fisioterapia.roberta@gmail.com)
– Therapist specializing in sexuality and gynecological health. Provides in-person and online services focused on self-knowledge, increasing self-esteem and the health of the female reproductive system. His main working tool is pompoarism.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
