What is Vaginismus, how to deal with Surgery?
SEXUAL
INTERCOURSE is something very personal, and not everyone would wish to talk
about it openly. Although sexual intercourse or sex is something very intimate
shared between two individuals, but there are still many things that one needs
to know and talk about in order to learn about everything related to it, and
can take necessary actions whenever needed.
It
is very important to talk about sexual intercourse and things related to it
among friends, families and also with kids, so that the correct information
reaches the mind and nothing unwanted or unprotected can create a blot on one’s
life. And today we are going to talk about one such thing, and that is
Vaginismus, it’s symptoms and so on.
“When a child reaches puberty, parents become so curious about their sex lives and whereabouts, put them behind bars to their own detriment. When such a child breaks free, don't be surprised to see him/her in porn movies.” ―
Vaginismus
is a random tightening or contraction of the muscles around the vagina. While the
vagina is part of a woman's reproductive system. It connects the lower part of
the uterus (cervix) with the outside of the body.
This
unintentional muscle spasm occurs when something - the penis, finger, tampon or
medical device - tries to penetrate the vagina. Spasms may be mild or very
painful.
Vaginismus
is the way the body automatically responds to the fear of some or all of the
genitals penetration into the vagina. And whenever there is some kind of
penetration, your genital muscles tighten on their own. And you have no power
over yourself.
Sometimes,
you can get vaginismus even if you have enjoyed painless, painless sex before.
Although, Vaginismus does not interfere with your ability to get aroused and
enjoy other forms of sexual contact.
How common is Vaginismus?
Experts
do not know how many people have vaginismus. Many people may be too embarrassed
to discuss a problem like this, which is related to their private lives meaning
sexual intercourse with their healthcare provider. Thus, it becomes difficult
to find an answer as to how common is Vaginismus.
Who can get Vaginismus?
Symptoms
of vaginismus may appear in late adolescence or in adulthood for the first
time. This condition may occur for the first time when a person tries to insert
a tampon or pelvic exam from the health care provider's office.
And
as already mentioned above that there is no obligation that one person might
suffer from Vaginismus right from the start that is when they hit puberty and
start using tampons or start having any kind of sexual contact, but this can
develop much later in life as well the person had already enjoyed years of
painless and trouble less sex.
What causes vaginismus?
Health
experts are not sure why some people get vaginismus. It can cause physical,
mental, and sexual problems. Bladder infections, UTIs and yeast infections can
increase the pain of vaginismus.
Factors
that may contribute to vaginismus include:
- Anxiety Disorders.
- Injuries during childbirth, such as tears in a woman's vagina.
- Preoperative surgery.
- Sexual fear or negative feelings about sex, perhaps as a result of previous sexual harassment, rape, or abuse.
What are the symptoms of vaginismus?
Symptoms
of vaginismus include:
- Discomfort or pain during
vaginal penetration.
- Inability to have sex or
pelvic examination due to muscle vaginal spasms or pain.
- Painful sex.
· You should see a doctor
if you are having painful or painful sex while wearing a tampon. These feelings
are not uncommon.
While
we get to know all the basic details about Vaginismus, let’s have a quick look
at the diagnosis and treatment, and how to deal with surgery if needed.
What happens when you go for a diagnosis?
· You can ask to see a
female doctor, and you can bring in someone you trust to support you.
· Your doctor will ask you
about your symptoms and may ask you to examine your vagina.
· Testing is usually very
fast. Your doctor will immediately look for other conditions, such as
infection.
· It is unlikely that they
will need an internal examination of your vagina.
· If your doctor suspects
you have vaginismus, you may be referred to a specialist, such as a sex
therapist.
Treatments available for Vaginismus:
· Topical treatment: Local
lidocaine or combined creams can help with the pain associated with this
condition.
· Pelvic floor therapy: A
physiotherapist will teach you how to relax your lower back muscles.
· Vaginal dilator
treatment: Vaginal dilators are tubular devices that come in a variety of
sizes. Their main purpose is to stretch the vagina. People with vaginismus use
dilators to make them more comfortable, and less sensitive, to the entrance of the
vagina. Your provider may recommend that you start by applying a lotion to the
outside of the vagina to make it easier to apply.
· Cognitive Behavioral
therapy (CBT): CBT helps you to understand how your thoughts affect your
emotions and behavior. Effective treatment for anxiety, depression, and
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
· Sex therapy: Professional
sex therapists work with individuals and couples to help them find happiness
again in their sexual relationships.
· Kegel exercises: involves
stretching and relaxing your pelvic floor muscles. Kegel tests are very useful
and in addition to vaginismus, they are also used to treat various other
ailments such as urinary incontinence. To do this exercise, a person needs to
tighten the pelvic floor muscles and release them repeatedly (to get the
muscles, try to stand in the middle while urinating. The muscles that tighten
the pelvic floor muscles). Depending on your condition, your doctor may ask you
to perform these tests several times a day.
Treatment
usually focuses on:
- To control your emotions
about entry
- Exercises to gradually
get used to entering
6
symptoms that showcase you might need surgery for treating your Vaginismus:
- Suffered from dyspareunia
- Always pain because of
penetration
- Have you ever had sexual
sex before?
- Pain and you have one or
more causes
- The pain comes back and
you have one or more causes
- Your doctor failed to
determine your problem
Although
the above mentioned points can treat as symptoms that may lead you to a
surgery, but when researched we found out that there is no surgical treatment
available for treating Vaginismus. However there is some treatment which uses
Botox injections to treat Vaginismus.
Botox
injections have emerged as the most effective treatment for vaginismus. Botox
injections have been shown to reduce the severity of spasms and their effects
are long lasting, even after Botox has aged.
Thus
one can see that what is Vaginismus, what are it’s causes and symptoms, as well
as what are the different kind of treatments available for treating Vaginismus.
Although we were unable to find any answer reading any surgery as a part of
treatment for treating Vaginismus, Botox injections came out to be a very
surprising fact but very helpful and effective in the treatment.
And
last but not the least I would like ask everyone to not shy away from the topic
of sexual intercourse and many other things related to it just because it’s a
private topic and something very intimate shared with your loved one. Because
ignoring and not paying attention to things like this can prove harmful and
even fatal at times.
Ref: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15723-vaginismus
https://drjaimeschwartz.com/body-blog/6-signs-candidate-vaginismus-surgery