Vaginismus
Alternate Names : Vaginal Muscle Spasms
What are the treatments for the condition?
Treatment usually involves counseling to get at the root psychological cause
for the vaginismus. Some experts use a program that slowly makes it easier to
relax vaginal muscles so that the vagina opens up. A reputable sex therapist or
gynecologist familiar with the problem may suggest:
placing the woman's fingers or her partner's fingers in the vagina and
learning to relax.
placing dilators of increasing size into the vagina daily. Over many
weeks this helps open up the vagina and relax the muscles.
seeking sex therapy with a goal of having intercourse and a healthy,
satisfying sexual relationship. Sessions may involve education about female and
male anatomy, how sexual response works, and common myths about sex. If a
phobia exists, hypnosis and relaxation techniques may be useful, too. Success
rates are high. Within 10 to 15 sessions, about 90% of women with vaginismus
respond to therapy.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Until a woman is able to relax her muscles, using dilators in the vagina may be
uncomfortable and irritating. Therapy may uncover difficult issues that could
trigger deep depression or anxiety.
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