Vaginismus: What To Do When Your Vagina Loses All Feeling?
Sex is supposed to be consensual, enjoyable, and stress-relieving. The common notion that sex is supposed to be painful is one of the primary reasons why people remain silent even when they are uncomfortable. Common sexual issues like erectile dysfunction and vaginismus often remain untreated as people are scared of becoming an outlier, as the person who can’t have sex and is not “normal”. It is very essential to have conversations about your sexual health with your partner(s) as it can have a serious effect on your physical, mental and emotional health. In this article, we will explore the Dos and Don’ts of Vaginismus.
What Is Vaginismus And How Common Is It?
An unpublished study made by the Australian Study of Health and Relationships in 2019, found that almost 60% of vagina owners who visited a sexual health clinic complaining about painful sex, were diagnosed with vaginismus. Some had even experienced it for a period of more than 10 years.
So what exactly is Vaginismus? It is when someone has difficulty in insertion into their vagina- be it a penis, their own fingers, or even any sex toys. It is not that the person doesn’t want to. It is completely in accordance with their wishes. However, they are unable to do so because of any underlying physical or mental condition. Some have described it as “hitting a wall” when any insertion takes place.
It occurs when the vaginal muscles spasm involuntarily due to the fear of upcoming vaginal penetration. Common symptoms of vaginismus are a burning feeling at the vaginal opening, cramping, or a feeling of pressure in your vagina. It can develop at the first instance of penetration which is called primary vaginismus. It can also develop at a later stage when the patient has been fine for a long period but has started experiencing difficulty later. This is medically known as secondary vaginismus.
Causes and Treatment
There aren’t any known or specific reasons behind the occurrence of vaginismus. Some common physical reasons for vaginismus may be infections or injuries resulting from childbirth which we commonly call “vaginal tear”. Common mental risk factors can be anxiety disorders and negative feelings about sex. Few people have reported panic attacks while indulging in sexual activities which might involve penetration. There are no known preventive mechanisms for it. However, people can be completely cured by proper treatment and diagnosis.
So how is vaginismus treated?
Vaginismus treatment focuses mainly on the relaxation of the tense muscles. They also address the underlying psychological issues. Some of the common treatments include-
- Topical therapy: here the doctor may prescribe topical lidocaine or any other creams to lessen the pain in the intimate area.
- Pelvic floor physical therapy: here instead of a doctor, treatment is meted out by physical therapists who help you relax muscles.
- Vaginal dilator therapy: The doctor prescribes you a vaginal dilator. A vaginal dilator is a device that is tube-shaped and helps stretch the vagina. Repeated and slow use of the dilator may help in stretching the vagina and getting used to penetration.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): it is a common psychological therapy used by therapists to determine and work out your emotional and mental issues. It is used to treat disorders like depression and PTSD.
- Sex therapy: the therapist talks to the patient and their partner(s) to work out the issues regarding their sexual relationship and help make it more pleasurable. (To know more about sex therapy)
Conclusion
Even though we may not know the underlying reasons behind the development of the disorder, with proper treatment almost 90% of patients have been cured of vaginismus. The main reason behind it is not lack of medical facilities but lack of awareness and refusal to accept that something is wrong. The fear that you may be regarded as “abnormal” exceeds the need to seek out help. However, you must remember vaginismus affects not only your sexual relationship but also your self-image issues. These may even lead to depression or anxiety. Hence leaving it untreated and undiagnosed is not an appropriate compromise. Everyone has the right to free, and pleasurable sex and the opinions of others are not a sufficient reason to stop yourself from enjoying sex!
Cover Illustration: Feminism in India
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