Vaginismus Treatment

Treating and curing Vaginismus

The treatment of choice with vaginismus is an extensive therapy program that combines education and counseling with behavioral exercises. Exercises include pelvic floor muscle contraction and relaxation (Kegel exercises) to improve voluntary control.

Vaginal dilation exercises are recommended using plastic dilators. This should be done under the direction of a sex therapist or other health care provider and treatment should involve the partner. This treatment should gradually include more intimate contact, ultimately resulting in intercourse.

Educational treatment, including information about sexual anatomy, physiology, the sexual response cycle, and common myths about sex, should be provided as well.

The first step for any woman who suspects she has vaginismus is to schedule a full pelvic examination with her gynecologist in order to rule out a physical cause. Ruling out any physical causes, vaginismus is most often conceptualized as a psychosomatic disorder, a physical manifestation of some deeper psychological cause. There are several theories as to what those psychological causes are, but most center around three primary issues: control issues within the relationship, past sexual trauma, or a conditioned association of pain/fear with vaginal penetration (a phobic reaction to the thought of penetration).

Common treatment for psychologically-rooted vaginismus will include a combination of couples therapy, proscribed Kegel exercises for the woman, sensate focus exercises for the couple to do at home, and the progressive use of a plastic dilator or finger which is inserted into the woman's vaginal opening in order to progressively stretch the contracted muscles.

Prevention of Vaginismus

If a woman finds intercourse painful, she should seek medical evaluation right away. When pain continues to be endured as part of sex, it increases the risk of conditioning a vaginismus response.

If you have pain associated with intercourse or difficulties with successful vaginal penetration, discuss this with your health care provider.

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Site last updated: March 4, 2008

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