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Vaginismus is one of the most common female sexual dysfunctions, with a prevalence of around 2-5% according to various studies (Cabello, F. 2010). It is the persistent or recurrent appearance of involuntary spasms of the musculature of the external third of the vagina, which interferes with sexual intercourse.
Some women may experience this piscosexual problem in the form of pain, due to unsuccessful attempts at penetration.
There are two types of vaginismus:
-
Primary vaginismus
occurs when the woman has never been able to have sexual intercourse.
-
Secondary vaginismus
that occurs after a period of normal sexual intercourse.
The main causes of vaginismus are:
- A very strict and religious upbringing.
- Traumatic experiences in childhood.
- Fear of pain during sexual intercourse.
- Sexual misinformation.
All of them are psychological factors, for which psychotherapy is a fundamental pillar in their treatment. Failure to treat this pathology can lead to significant relationship problems, depression and low self-esteem in women. The woman has a feeling of failure, due to the failed attempts to maintain satisfactory sexual relations.
Therefore, the treatment of vaginismus should be based on three fundamental pillars:
-
Psychological
Through psychotherapy, using systematic desensitization and other exposure techniques. Psychotherapy can be very successful. A good sexual education can help women who suffer from vaginismus to understand what is happening to them, normalize their situation, and to disempower themselves. This part of the intervention addresses the elimination of prejudices and negative attitudes. Psychotherapy can solve 50% of the problems.
-
Physician
By Botox injection. The technique of Botox infiltration in aesthetic and plastic surgery treatments is not limited to wrinkles. In fact, the first clinical application dates back to 1977, when it began to be used for blepharospasm and spastic torticollis.
Botox infiltration avoids the spasm of the vaginal muscles, thus achieving satisfactory sexual intercourse. In 75% of the cases it has been demonstrated that one session is enough to cure vaginismus.
The treatment is performed in the operating room under light sedation and the patient returns home after receiving medical discharge after about two hours. The effects begin to be noticed only 48 hours later so it is advisable to restart sexual relations during the first week post-treatment.
-
Muscular
Through exercises aimed at strengthening the pelvic musculature. These are the Kegel exercises, which help to control and master the muscles involved in sexual intercourse. The success of these exercises depends on proper practice of technique and disciplined compliance.
The treatment of vaginismus obtains very good results, reaching success rates of up to 100% (Masters and Johnson, 1970).
Authors:
- Anabel Martínez Yagüe (Psychologist)
- Patricia Gutiérrez Ontalvilla (Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon).
References
- Cabello, F. (2010). “Manual de sexología y terapia sexual”. Madrid. Síntesis.
- AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION (APA). (2002). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. Barcelona: Masson.
- Masters, W.H. and Johnson, V.E. (1970). Human sexual inadequacy. Boston: Little Brown (English version: Intermedica, Madrid, 1976).
You might also be interested in this other article where Crónica Global journalist Laura Fábregas talks to Dr. Patricia Gutiérrez titled: Vaginismus, the pain that many women hide..
More information about intimate surgery:
The vaginal surgery procedures performed by Dr. Patricia Gutiérrez Ontalvilla and her team range from labiaplasty, vaginismus, labia majora filler or pubiclift to vaginoplasty.
You can read the full article here: Designer vaginas: we put the latest obsession on trial. Beauty News.
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