Vaginismus

Understanding Vaginismus: Causes, Types, and Treatment

Vaginismus is a condition marked by involuntary contractions of the vaginal muscles, leading to discomfort, burning sensations, or pain during activities such as sexual intercourse, gynecological exams, or tampon insertion. These muscle spasms are often a physical response to the body's anticipation of pain, influenced by both physical and psychological factors.

Success Rate

of Women Experience Vaginal Pain

Hundreds

of Procedures
Performed

Years of Experience

WHAT IS VAGINISMUS?

Vaginismus is a condition characterized by painful and uncontrollable contractions of the vaginal muscles. Women who suffer from this physical and psychological disorder may experience discomfort, burning, or pain during sexual intercourse, gynecological exams, or while inserting tampons. They may also experience anxiety that causes them to withdraw from these situations.

Imagine you have a chronic tight neck or shoulder muscle. This would cause pain, not only when you touch the muscle but also if you attempt to touch the surrounding areas. Vaginismus works in a similar way. Vaginismus is due to the involuntary tightening of the pelvic floor muscles, mainly the Pubococcygeus (PC) muscle group.

Most women may be unaware of vaginismus or that they may have extremely tight pelvic floor muscles leading to pain known as dyspareunia. Dyspareunia is persistent or recurrent genital pain that occurs before, during, or after intercourse. Some common causes could be inadequate lubrication, rough sex, trauma, or negative feelings about their partner. However, it is thought that anywhere from 5 – 15% of women who present with dyspareunia may have vaginismus. It also believed that vaginismus may be a primary cause of sexless and unconsummated marriages.

Since vaginismus is not commonly diagnosed, women seeking help from physicians have been told to just “relax” before having sex rather than addressing the root of the problem. This is why Dr. Schwartz developed a technique for targeting the pelvic floor muscles. Women from all over the world have undergone long-lasting vaginismus treatment by Dr. Schwartz. We help break the pain cycle for good.

Types of Vaginism

Primary Vaginismus:
This lifelong condition manifests when pain has always been present during any attempt at vaginal penetration. It is often first noticed during initial attempts to use tampons or engage in sexual intercourse. Primary vaginismus is a leading cause of unconsummated marriages.

Secondary Vaginismus:
This form develops after a period of normal sexual function. It involves vaginal tightness or pain during penetration and can result from factors such as infections, menopause, traumatic events, medical conditions, relationship issues, surgeries, or childbirth.

Causes of Vaginismus

The onset of vaginismus can be attributed to a combination of physical and non-physical factors:

Physical causes:

Medical conditions:

Urinary tract infections, yeast infections, sexually transmitted diseases, en dometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and other genital or pelvic health issues.

Childbirth:

Pain resulting from vaginal deliveries, complications, cesarean sections, or miscarriages.

Age-Related changes:

Menopause-related hormonal changes, vaginal dryness, and atrophy.

Pelvic trauma:

Injuries from surgeries, difficult pelvic examinations, or other forms of trauma.

Medications:

Certain prescriptions that may cause pelvic discomfort.

Non-Physical causes:

Psychological factors:

Fear of pain during intercourse, anxiety, stress, past emotional or sexual abuse, and negative feelings toward sex.

Partner issues:

Emotional detachment, fear of commitment, or relationship distress.

Traumatic events:

Witnessing or experiencing violence or abuse.

Cultural or religious influences:

Rigid upbringing, inadequate sex education, or exposure to negative sexual imagery.

No cause:

Vaginismus may be a diagnosis of exclusion where there may not be an identifiable cause, physical or non-physical.

CYCLE OF PAIN

The body anticipates pain
Involuntary pelvic muscle tightening
Painful sex or impossible penetration
Pain intensity reinforces the muscle tightening reflex
The body reacts by “bracing”
Avoiding intimate situations, which can lead to a lack of desire

Neuromodulators are used by Dr. Schwartz to break the pain cycle between anticipating pain and not being able to tighten the pelvic floor muscles. This allows for normal, pain-free sex, which decreases fears and anxieties over time.

Vaginismus Treatment

Dr. Jaime Schwartz, a board-certified plastic surgeon, has developed a specialized treatment for vaginismus that complements existing care plans. This approach involves the injection of neuromodulators into the pelvic floor muscles to relax them and disrupt the pain cycle. With a reported 97% success rate, most women experience normal vaginal penetration and improved sexual function after just one treatment.

For those seeking relief from vaginismus, Dr. Jaime Schwartz offers personalized consultations in Beverly Hills, CA. To learn more about Dr. Schwartz's innovative treatment and to schedule a free consultation, please contact us at (310) 882-5454 or contact us here.