Vaginismus causes the muscles around the entrance of your vagina to tighten when you or someone else tries to put something into it.
Vaginismus causes the muscles around the entrance of your vagina to tighten when you or someone else tries to put something into it.
If you have vaginismus, it can affect your self esteem, body confidence and sex life. As well as feeling embarrassed to talk to a doctor, you may also find it hard to deal with the problem with your partner.
It’s important to know you’re not alone – lots of women have the condition and get treatment that sorts it out. Some studies suggest up to 6% of us struggle with the condition at some point - that’s thousands and thousands of women. Sadly, many women feel embarrassment about seeking help, so this figure is likely to be even higher.
Read on to discover what causes vaginismus (sometimes called genito-pelvic penetration disorder), how it can be treated and where you can find the support you need to help restore your physical and emotional wellbeing. There is hope, and it is possible to overcome vaginismus if you get the help you deserve.
The main symptom of vaginismus is pain when something is put into your vagina. This could be a tampon, a penis, a finger or a medical device, like a speculum used during a cervical smear (also called a
).Other symptoms can include:
Find useful information on other areas of vaginal health with our .
There isn't always one obvious cause of vaginismus – symptoms and types of pain differ from person to person. Vaginismus isn’t related to sexual desire – it can happen even if you’re aroused and want to have penetrative sex. Often, the pain you feel is caused by an automatic tightening of the muscles in your vagina linked to a subconscious fear of something being put into your vagina. It can happen the first time you have sex, or after years of sex without any problems. Some women never have penetrative sex because of vaginismus and, for this reason, it can also be a cause of fertility problems.
There’s often a fear of something going into your vagina due to emotional and psychological issues, such as:
Even if the original cause has gone – for example your infection or wound has healed – vaginismus can still happen. So the fear of pain can cause you to tense up, sometimes without you even being aware you’re doing it, and make sex painful.
Discussing vaginismus with your partner can seem daunting and you might feel embarrassed. Here are some tips that might help you start a conversation:
Having vaginismus can be hard to deal with and can put a strain on relationships. Reach out for support if it’s having a negative effect on any part of your life.
In addition to asking your doctor or sexual health clinic for help, there are online support groups and resources that you may find useful:
If you’re having trouble or are worried about having sex or inserting a tampon into your vagina, and think you have vaginismus, it’s best to see a doctor or go to a sexual health clinic for a diagnosis to rule out other causes of your symptoms.
There aren’t any specific tests to diagnose vaginismus. Instead, a doctor will usually ask you about your symptoms and sexual history, and if needed may do a physical examinaton of your vagina. This typically involves looking at your vagina for signs of other causes of your symptoms (like an infection), and feeling the muscles around your pelvis.
If you feel embarrassed about the problem and are nervous to see a doctor it might help to:
Vaginismus is a condition that there's not much awareness of, although there are brave women and organisations trying to change this. If your GP doesn't have lots of experience in helping women with vaginismus don’t be disheartened. You can instead access help through a sexual health clinic or ask if they could refer you to see a specialist.
If you’re diagnosed with vaginismus there are a number of treatments you can try that may help you. Treatment is usually focused on helping your vaginal muscles relax when something is put inside. The aim is to reduce any anxiety or fear you have that may be triggering your symptoms.
Your doctor may suggest some self-care solutions, like:
They may also suggest other treatments, such as:
It can take a few weeks or even months of treatment to notice results, but many people with vaginismus get better with treatment. If you’re still having trouble, your doctor may refer you to a physiotherapist who specialises in vaginismus and may be able to help further.
As the root cause of vaginismus is often psychological it very rarely needs surgery. Often, surgery to treat vaginismus results from a misdiagnosis and is therefore unnecessary.
There is some evidence that botox (botulinum toxin) might improve symptoms in women with vaginismus, although more research needs to be done.
While pain during sex can be caused by vaginismus – and you should see a doctor to rule out other causes – it can also be a sign of other conditions, which may need more urgent medical attention.
See a doctor as soon as possible if you have pain when putting something into your vagina, and:
Vaginismus only involves tightening of the vaginal muscles – you can still be sexually active, you just might have to try things that don’t involve penetrative sex, like:
Sex with penetration can also be less painful if you use plenty of lubrication, or if the women is on top, as it gives them more control over the penetration.
Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.