Understanding Vaginal Pain
What is Vaginismus?
Vaginismus is a condition that causes a woman’s vagina to spasm or squeeze involuntarily when something enters it, causing discomfort or pain. While this doesn’t stop patients from becoming sexually aroused, the symptoms of vaginismus may cause anxiety about sex, making patients afraid of sex or any kind of vaginal penetration.
Vaginismus occurs in two types that can affect women of all ages, primary vaginismus, and secondary vaginismus:
- Primary Vaginismus: Usually occurs when women have their first attempt at sex. Penetration is difficult and their partner may feel like they are “hitting a wall” at the opening of the vagina. The woman may experience both pain and general muscle spasms. Breathing may also stop temporarily. When the attempt at vaginal entry stops the symptoms stop, too. Apart from sex, primary vaginismus may also include tampon use and gynecological examinations.
- Secondary Vaginismus: This may be experienced at any stage in a woman’s life and can affect even those who have no history of vaginismus. Often, it results from specific events such as underlying gynecological problems, menopause, infection, traumatic events, relationship issues, childbirth, surgery, tailbone or straddle injuries, chronic sitting, chronic muscle tension, among others.
