To treat bacterial vaginosis, your doctor may prescribe one of the following medications:
- Metronidazole (Flagyl, Metrogel-Vaginal, others). This medicine may be taken as a pill by mouth (orally). Metronidazole is also available as a topical gel that you insert into your vagina. ...
- Clindamycin (Cleocin, Clindesse, others). This medicine is available as a cream that you insert into your vagina. ...
- Tinidazole (Tindamax). This medication is taken orally. Tinidazole has the same potential for stomach upset and nausea as oral metronidazole does, so avoid alcohol during treatment and for at least ...
What is vaginismus and how is it treated?
What Is Vaginismus? Vaginismus is when the muscles of a woman’s vagina squeeze or spasm when something is entering it, like a tampon or a penis. It can range from mildly uncomfortable to quite painful. There are two main types of vaginismus.
What should I do if my doctor does not treat vaginismus?
If your doctor does not help you, see another who has experience treating vaginismus and other forms of female sexual dysfunction. Other possible diagnoses are apareunia, a general term for inability to have sexual intercourse (of which vaginismus is one type), and dyspareunia, which refers broadly to pain during sexual intercourse.
What is the multimodal vaginismus treatment program?
Multimodal Vaginismus Treatment Program: Technical Details Physical examination (excluding pelvic examination) was done in the recovery area before treatment in the OR. Versed (midazolam) 1 to 2 mg intravenously was administered as needed to help calm the patient in the recovery area and/or in the OR before cotton-tipped applicator testing.
Can a physical therapist help with vaginismus?
Ask your doctor to refer you to a physical therapist who has experience dealing with vaginismus and other forms of female sexual dysfunction. Because the muscles of the pelvic floor play such a major role in vaginismus, physical therapy is one of the best treatment options. Your physical therapist might: [20] Do Kegel exercises.
Can vaginismus be completely cured?
Having vaginismus is just like having any other medical problem. The only difference is not many people talk about vaginismus. Not able to have sex can be emotionally exhausting and mentally disturbing but the good thing is that it is a completely curable condition.
What is the fastest way to fix vaginismus?
Tips for getting to the next level Vaginismus is commonly treated with gentle and progressive stretches of the pelvic floor muscles using a dilator set. The goal is to reduce the protective response by the brain associated with vaginal penetration for painful gyn exam, use of tampons and/or intimacy.
What can doctors do for vaginismus?
Vaginismus is considered to be one of the most treatable sexual disorders. Effective treatment approaches include: Vaginal dilation under anesthesia with Botox injection of the pelvic floor and vagina—This procedure involves gentle sedation and Botox injections, which are used to relax the vaginal muscles.
How did you overcome vaginismus?
If you're wondering how to overcome vaginismus, psychosexual therapy, physical therapy, counseling, and the use of vaginal dilators have shown remarkable benefits among women diagnosed with the condition. It will take some experimenting to find out what works for you and your partner.
Can a gynecologist treat vaginismus?
Although gynecologic experience with vaginismus has been generally limited, the gynecologist is seen as a potentially ideal therapist for establishing or confirming the diagnosis at that time of pelvic examination.
Should I see a gynecologist for vaginismus?
Some women may have an underlying physical cause to their vaginismus that needs to be determined so that it too may be treated. Diagnosis can be complex, especially when a medical condition is involved. We recommend choosing a doctor who specializes in women's health issues like a gynecologist.
What kind of doctor should I see for vaginismus?
A health care team made up of a gynecologist, physical therapist, and sexual counselor can help with treatment. Treatment involves a combination of physical therapy, education, counseling, and exercises such as pelvic floor muscle contraction and relaxation (Kegel exercises).
What does a doctor look for in a vaginal exam?
You can ask your doctor to explain every step of the exam to you as they go along. During the exam, your doctor will look for any sign of infection or scarring. In vaginismus, there’s no physical reason for the vaginal muscles to contract.
What is it called when a woman's vagina is involuntarily contracted?
For some women, the vaginal muscles involuntarily or persistently contract when they attempt vaginal penetration. This is called vaginismus. The contractions can prevent sexual intercourse or make it very painful. Vaginismus doesn’t interfere with sexual arousal, but it can prevent penetration.
How do dilators help with intimacy?
The dilators will get progressively bigger. This helps the vaginal muscles stretch and become flexible. To increase intimacy, have your partner help you insert the dilators. After completing the course of treatment with a set of dilators, you and your partner can try to have intercourse again.
Can vaginal tightening be a symptom?
Involuntary tightening of the vaginal muscles is the primary symptom of vaginismus, but the severity of the condition varies between women. In all cases, constriction of the vagina makes penetration difficult or impossible. If you have vaginismus, you can’t manage or stop the contractions of your vaginal muscles.
Can you use a stirrup for vaginal exam?
Some women prefer not to use stirrups and to try different physical positions for the exam. You may feel more at ease if you can use a mirror to see what your doctor is doing. When a doctor suspects vaginismus, they’ll generally perform the exam as gently as they can.
Can vaginal pain be a sign of vaginal penetration?
If you have vaginismus, you can’t manage or stop the contractions of your vaginal muscles. Vaginismus can have additional symptoms, including fear of vaginal penetration and decreased sexual desire related to penetration. Women with vaginismus often report a burning or stinging pain when anything is inserted into the vagina.
What is the vaginal tightness?
The vaginal tightness results from a limbic system response toward penetration, a protection mechanism that signals the body to brace and protect against potential harm. Effective treatment solutions, including vaginal dilators, are available on Hope & Her.
How do women learn to relax?
Once the over-responsive muscles are located, women learn how to gain control and relax the muscles. Through a series of limbic reduction exercises, females are taught how to correct the reaction, while exposing their bodies to penetration and normalizing the feeling of insertion.
What is vaginismus?
"Vaginismus is a painful spasmodic contraction of the vagina in response to physical contact or pressure”, explains Dr Rachel Gelman, a pelvic floor physical therapist. During penetrative sex, many people report that it feels like their partner is hitting a wall.
Types of Vaginismus
Vaginismus can be categorized into different types, depending on the severity and frequency of the symptoms. Dr Nicole Williams, a gynecologist and author of This is How You Vagina, explains the four types of vaginismus include:
How is vaginismus diagnosed?
Getting a diagnosis for vaginismus can provide a lot of relief for the person suffering. Grace Wilkinson from the US suffers from vaginismus and says that her diagnosis made her feel “relieved to finally have a name to the problem”.
The treatments for vaginismus
Dilator therapy is often used by post-menopausal women but can be beneficial for those with vaginismus, too. It works by stretching the vaginal opening and aims to make things like penetrative sex and pelvic floor exams more comfortable.
Moving forward after a vaginismus diagnosis
Getting a vaginismus diagnosis can be overwhelming, and it can seem like a long road to recovery. However, Dr Williams wishes to remind those with vaginismus that "you are not broken. Your vagina is not broken. It's just muscles, and they and you can get better.”
What is the cause of vaginal tightness?
Vaginismus is caused by a limbic system response toward penetration that activates vaginal muscle tightness. The limbic system, also known as the feeling and reacting part of the brain, controls functions needed for self-preservation. Among the system's many responsibilities, it is involved with interpreting events and body protections ...
Can the mind and body change vaginismus?
The mind and body can hold a negative view of different forms of penetration that trigger a physical over-reaction. The good news is that this associative reaction can be changed through mind and body training, for complete resolution of vaginismus.
How to treat vaginal sex?
It is possible to treat vaginismus using the following alternative methods: 1 Sex Therapy: This approach may involve relaxation techniques and gradually inserting a dilator or finger into the vagina. It is sometimes called systematic desensitization. 2 Kegel Exercises: These exercises involve the repeated contraction and relaxation of the pelvic muscles. The exercises can help improve control over the vaginal muscles. 3 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ( CBT ): CBT helps you understand how your thoughts affect your emotions and behaviors. It’s an effective treatment for anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ). 4 Relaxation Techniques: Mindfulness, breathing, and gentle touching exercises can help you learn to relax the vaginal muscles.
What is the name of the condition where the vagina is dry and itching?
Vaginal dryness and vaginal atrophy occurs in women during perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. With vaginal atrophy, the lining of the vaginal wall becomes thinner, drier, less elastic, and light pink to bluish in color. Symptoms of vaginal atrophy include vaginal dryness, itching, irritation, and/or pain during intercourse.
What is the term for a woman's involuntary contraction of the vagina?
Vaginismus is an involuntary contraction of the vaginal muscles which makes sexual intercourse difficult or impossible due to pain (dyspareunia). Vaginismus is not common. It can cause severe physical and psychological pain. Vaginismus can be classified as either primary or secondary. Primary vaginismus occurs when the woman has never been able ...
Why does my vagina itch?
Vaginitis can be caused by infections, menopause, or poor hygiene. Symptoms of vaginitis include vaginal itching, discharge, odor, pain, or discomfort. Treatment for vaginitis depends on the cause. Antibiotics may be necessary for some forms of vaginitis.
What is the best treatment for anxiolytic disorder?
Anxiolytic medication, such as diazepam, in combination with psychological therapy, has been the most commonly used medication for this condition. In other cases, local anesthetics, such as lidocaine gel, have been proposed as a form of treatment.
Can a woman's sexual dysfunction be limited?
Female sexual dysfunction symptoms can limit a woman’s sex life. Female sexual dysfunction treatment aims to address any psychological and physical causes of the problem. Sometimes doctors prescribe drugs to treat female sexual dysfunction symptoms.
Can a doctor do an internal exam of the vagina?
Your doctor will take a quick look to rule out other conditions, like an infection. It's unlikely they'll need to perform an internal examination of your vagina. If your doctor thinks you have vaginismus, you may be referred to a specialist, such as a sex therapist.
What does vaginismus feel like?
Different women experience this pain differently--it may feel like burning, stinging, tightening, tearing, or as if your partner is “hitting a wall.”.
What are the symptoms of vaginalism?
1. Consider the role of anxiety. Many women with vaginismus can trace their symptoms to feelings of anxiety, fear, and stress. These can be more deeply rooted, or simply related to current factors of life, like lack of sleep and excessive work-related stress.
Can vaginal tampons prevent pelvic exams?
In addition to interfering with a healthy sex life, vaginismus may prevent women from inserting tampons or having pelvic exams. Causes of vaginismus vary and are worth exploring for treatment purposes. Although the condition can be upsetting, embarrassing, and stressful, it is absolutely treatable. Steps.
