Vaginismusis when vaginal muscles tighten involuntarily, causing painful or difficult vaginal penetration.
It can affect your experience getting pelvic exams, menstruation, sex, and your mental health.
It can be something youve always had or begin suddenly.
Illustration by Mira Norian for Verywell Health
Tightness and Anatomy
During vaginal penetration, you might feel sharp, burning pain or tight pressure.
Some describe this as hitting a wall.
It can occur at the entrance or deeper inside the vagina.
Effect on Pelvic Exams
Pelvic examscan be painful or impossible for those with vaginismus.
Effect on Menstruation
Inserting tampons or menstrual cups can be painful or impossible.
Many people think this is normal, but using a tampon shouldnt hurt.
Effect on Sex
Vaginismus causes pain during attempted penetration, making sexual intercourse or masturbation impossible.
Worrying about the pain can also cause panic attacks.
Symptoms can start at any age and may not always have a clear cause.
The following pelvic floor relaxationexercisescan also help:
Kegels vs.
Reverse Kegels
Kegel exercises strengthen weak pelvic floor muscles.
Counseling and Sex Therapy
Psychological counseling addresses emotional and mental challenges.
Vaginal dilators are devices that help stretch the vaginal wall, making penetration more comfortable.
It can be more emotional than you might expect.
Symptoms include pain during sex, trouble inserting tampons, and difficult or impossible pelvic exams.
Underlying causes can be physical and psychological.
Living with vaginismus can be frustrating, but many people get relief with self-care or medical treatments.
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