Vaginism

What is Vaginism?

Vaginism is a condition in which an attempt to have penetrative sex, or indeed to insert anything into a woman's vagina causes the muscles surrounding the vagina to tighten, and to clamp shut, making penetration painful or impossible.

Vaginism not only affects sexual intercourse, it can also affect gynaecological examinations and the use of tampons.

Vaginism is an involuntary reflex which can be compared to any other reflex action where the body closes up as a reflex, like when the eye blinks if something approaches it.

With vaginism, although the closing of the vagina is usually involuntary, it is often due to a learned response to pain, that is to say, the woman expects pain, or remembers previous painful experiences, or simply imagines that penetration will be painful, and the vaginism reflex occurs.

Vaginism can be excaserbated by the anticipation of pain or discomfort.

If penetration is then attempted, it can be painful simply because the muscles are tight.

In that case, the pain is subconsciously re-inforcing the fear, which in turn tells the subconscious that it was right to fear the pain, and it can cause an even stronger response the next time.

Primary Vaginism

Primary vaginism is the name given to the condition when the woman has never been able to have sexual intercourse, or indeed insert anything into the vagina.

Primary vaginism is often discovered in the teenage years, when the girl tries to use tampons, or goes for an internal examination and finds it to be extremely uncomfortable.

This fear of pain then causes an anxiety which will bring with it the conditioned reflex response of closing upwhenever the woman then subsequently attempt intercourse.

Secondary Vaginism

Secondary vaginism is the name given to the condition where the woman has been able to achieve penetration in the past, but develops vaginism after some time.

Treatment for vaginism is often easier for women with secondary vaginism than it is for women with primary vaginism, simply because the woman is aware that penetration without pain is possible.

Using hypnotherapy as a treatment for Vaginism

Assuming that the vaginism is caused by a psychological issue, rather than a physiological one, it can be successfully treated using hypnotherapy.

Because analytical hypnotherapy is very effective at relieving anxiety, we can greatly help those women whose vaginism is caused by just such an anxiety, like the fear of pain.

If you are a woman who suffers from vaginism, and feel that it might be caused by an anxiety like we've described, why not come along for an intial consultation, so that we can meet, and discuss your individual needs.

Would You Prefer a Female Therapist?

If youy would like help with vaginism, but would prefer a female therapist, just let Paul know, and he'll help by putting you in touch with a female therapist in your area.

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