Vaginismus is when the muscles around your vagina tighten involuntarily whenever there is an attempt to penetrate it with something. This could be your partner’s penis, your finger or a tampon.
Vaginismus makes sexual intercourse difficult or impossible (the vagina can completely close up) and it can be painful. The symptoms can vary from one women to the next. Read more about the symptoms of vaginismus.
Because it disrupts or completely stops your sex life, vaginismus can cause distress and relationship problems and may prevent you from starting a family. It can also make gynaecological and pelvic examinations difficult or impossible. In some cases, a woman may need an anaesthetic before a doctor can examine her.
How is vaginismus treated?
Vaginismus is very treatable. If the cause is psychological, it may be treated using sex therapy, where you are helped to gradually overcome it using vaginal trainers and relaxation techniques. You will be given counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) if necessary. Read more about treating vaginismus.
Why does vaginismus happen?
Many factors can cause vaginismus, but it is not always fully understood why the condition happens.
For some women, it may be caused by a traumatic past experience, such as a difficult childbirth or sexual abuse. They may associate sexual activity with pain and learn to avoid intercourse as a way of avoiding further pain. Read more about the causes of vaginismus.
There are two types of vaginismus:
- Primary vaginismus is when you have never been able to have sex because of the condition.
- Secondary vaginismus is when you have previously been able to have sex but now find it difficult or impossible.
How common is vaginismus?
The condition is fairly common, especially in teenage girls and women in their twenties and thirties. It is likely that many women will experience it at some point, even if they have had a history of enjoyable and painless sex.
Last updated: 19 January 2012
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