Common Causes
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.
Related Conditions
There are two main types of vaginismus. This is when a woman has had pain every time something entered their vagina, including a penis (called penetrative sex), or when they’re never been able to insert anything into their vagina. It’s also called lifelong vaginismus.
What is vaginismus and how is it treated?
Internal Exam - When vaginismus is suspected, doctors will often begin the internal exam by inserting one or two lubricated fingers into the vaginal opening to see if there is any resistance and to check for any tenderness or abnormalities along the vaginal walls. Depending on how that goes, she may then move on to inserting a speculum.
What are the different types of vaginismus?
Due to vaginal muscle tightness, some women with vaginismus find gynecological exams to be extremely painful and are unable to tolerate them. If a woman suspects she may have difficulty completing an exam, she should communicate this to her physician.
How do doctors test for vaginismus?
Do gynecological exams hurt for women with vaginismus?
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 do you treat vaginismus naturally?
Treating Vaginismus with Dilator Therapy Therapy may include Kegel exercises, sex therapy, sexual anatomy education, and vaginal dilators. Dilator therapy - also called insertion therapy - consists of gradually training the muscles to accept pressure and stretch in width and depth.
Can vaginismus be treated surgically?
Vaginismus surgery is one way to treat this condition. Vaginismus surgical treatment is quick and effective.
What is vaginismus physical therapy?
Because vaginismus is correlated with spasm of the pelvic floor muscles, physical therapists are the optimal provider to treat this condition. Physical therapy may include: Vaginal dilators and therapeutic exercise to decrease muscle spasm. Manual techniques for soft tissue restriction and pain.
How do you relax vaginismus?
Women with vaginismus can do exercises at home to learn to control and relax the muscles around their vagina. This is called progressive desensitization, and the idea is to get comfortable with insertion....Vaginismus TreatmentSqueeze the muscles.Hold them for 2 to 10 seconds.Relax the muscles.
What is pelvic floor therapy for vaginismus?
Sometimes described as pelvic floor massage, or manual therapy by pelvic floor physical therapists, manual muscle manipulations are one of the most important aspects of reducing pain in the treatment of your vaginismus.
What is physical therapy for dyspareunia?
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a noninvasive option for relieving pain associated with dyspareunia, genital pain associated with sexual intercourse. Manual therapy is a clinical approach used by physical therapists to mobilize soft tissues, reduce pain, and improve function.
What are the symptoms of vaginismus?
Other symptoms of vaginismus include: Not being able to have penetrative sex or insert a tampon at all. Fear of pain or sex. Loss of sexual desire. These symptoms are involuntary, meaning a woman can’t control them without treatment.
What is it called when a woman has pain every time something enters her vagina?
It’s also called lifelong vaginismus.
Why do they do pelvic exams?
They’ll do a pelvic exam to look for other health conditions that could cause pain. You might need some treatment before you can tolerate the exam. Your doctor will move as slowly and gently as possible, and they’ll explain everything they’re doing. Vaginismus Treatment.
How to get rid of a knuckle in your vagina?
After a few days, insert one finger, up to about the first knuckle joint, inside your vagina while doing the exercises. You might want to clip your fingernails first and use a lubricating jelly. Or do the exercises in a bathtub, where water is a natural lubricant. Start with one finger and work your way up to three.
What is the best medicine for bacterial vaginosis?
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.
How to diagnose bacterial vaginosis?
Open pop-up dialog box. Close. Pelvic examination. Pelvic examination. In a pelvic exam, your physician inserts two gloved fingers inside your vagina. While simultaneously pressing down on your abdomen, he or she can examine your uterus, ovaries and other organs. To diagnose bacterial vaginosis, your doctor may: ...
How long does it take for bacterial vaginosis to recur?
It's common for bacterial vaginosis to recur within three to 12 months, despite treatment. Researchers are exploring treatments for recurrent bacterial vaginosis. If your symptoms recur soon after treatment, talk with your doctor about treatments. One option may be extended-use metronidazole therapy.
How to boost the number of good bacteria in your vagina?
A self-help approach is lactobacillus colonization therapy — which attempts to boost the number of good bacteria in your vagina and re-establish a balanced vaginal environment — possibly accomplished by eating certain types of yogurt or other foods containing lactobacilli.
How long does Clindamycin last in vagina?
This medicine is available as a cream that you insert into your vagina. Clindamycin cream may weaken latex condoms during treatment and for at least three days after you stop using the cream. Tinidazole (Tindamax). This medication is taken orally.
Can a doctor observe a discharge?
That way, your primary care doctor or gynecologist can observe and evaluate your vaginal discharge without menstrual discharge getting in the way. Avoid using tampons and vaginal deodorant sprays, and don't douche or have sex for 24 hours before your appointment.
What is pelvic exam?
Pelvic Exam as Part of Vaginismus Diagnosis. A typical pelvic exam involves two parts: an external review of your genital area, and an internal exam (with a speculum and/or finger). The exam takes place while you are lying on your back on an exam table with your knees spread apart.
How to tell if a vagina is red?
She may then take a cotton swab and touch it to several spots around the vaginal area to check to see if there are any sensitive spots of pain .
What happens if you can't complete pelvic exam?
If you are unable to complete the internal exam, the doctor will consider this reality in forming the diagnosis. The results from your pelvic exam and your description of the pain and/or difficulties with penetration will help to eliminate other conditions that could possibly be causing the pain.
How to increase comfort when a Pap is inserted?
To increase comfort, most doctors lubricate and warm the speculum to body temperature before its inserted. You may feel a slight pressure as it is opened. A small spatula or tiny brush may then be used to collect cells from the cervix for a Pap test. This test screens for any abnormal cervical cells.
How many fingers do you put in your vagina?
Depending on how extensive the pelvic exam is, some doctors may then place two fingers into the vagina while pressing down on the uterus. This assesses the shape and or size of the uterus, checking for any fibroid growths or cysts and/or signs of infection.
How to calm down after a thigh exam?
Relaxing is key to reducing the level of discomfort. As much as possible relax your stomach, thigh, and bum muscles. As the exam begins, breathe slowly and deeply. Distract yourself by focusing on a picture on the wall, on your plans for that evening, or by talking to your support person.
Is vaginismus a physical condition?
. It is beneficial to seek a diagnosis for any type of sexual pain, including pain due to penetration problems. 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.
What is the best treatment for vaginal vaginosis?
For this type of vaginitis, your doctor may prescribe metronidazole (Flagyl) tablets that you take by mouth or metronidazole (MetroGel) gel or clindamycin (Cleocin) cream that you apply to your vagina.
What is the instrument used to check for vaginal inflammation?
During the pelvic exam, your doctor may use an instrument (speculum) to look inside your vagina for inflammation and abnormal discharge. Collect a sample for lab testing. Your doctor might collect a sample of cervical or vaginal discharge for lab testing to confirm what kind of vaginitis you have. Perform pH testing.
What is the best medicine for yeast infections?
Yeast infections. Yeast infections usually are treated with an over-the-counter antifungal cream or suppository, such as miconazole (Monistat 1), clotrimazole, butoconazole or tioconazole (Vagistat-1). Yeast infections may also be treated with a prescription oral antifungal medication, such as fluconazole (Diflucan).
How to treat labial fungus?
Follow package directions and complete the entire course of treatment, even if you're feeling better right away. Apply a cold compress, such as a washcloth, to the labial area to ease discomfort until the antifungal medication takes full effect .
Can estrogen be used for menopause?
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (vaginal atrophy). Estrogen — in the form of vaginal creams, tablets or rings — can effectively treat this condition. This treatment is available by prescription from your doctor, after other risk factors and possible complications are reviewed. Noninfectious vaginitis.
What is menstrual synchrony?
Menstrual synchrony may be related to. close physical contact with women and the sense of smell. female subjective sexual arousal disorder. Shonda is bothered by a lack of sexual excitement and pleasure when she tries to be intimate with her husband, although she does experience vaginal lubrication and swelling.
How to reduce PMS symptoms?
All of the following appear to be effective in reducing PMS symptoms except. moderate increase in caffeine intake. Avoiding salt, regular aerobic exercise and some food supplements. Are all effective in reducing PMS symptoms. The most common sites for female genital piercings are the.