Vaginismus is a problem up to 10% of women worldwide have that causes an aversion to any form of vaginal penetration. It induces a sense of fear as a woman anticipates the pain she might experience with penetration be it with a finger, a small vibrator or a sex toy , a speculum used by a doctor or a penis.
a problem up to 10% of women worldwide have
This fear heightens her apprehension and she responds in a manner that is completely out her control by closing in her legs, pushing off the offending device or person, lifting her buttocks and pelvis up to avoid the penetration and sometime it induces a sense of her heart beating quickly and even hyperventilation. This reaction is completely involuntary. It is almost difficult for her to rationalise why she reacts this way.
fear heightens her apprehension and she responds in a manner that is completely out her control
No amount of telling a woman with vaginismus, “just relax and keep practicing” is going to help her. This is counterintuitive. This is infact more detrimental to her.
“just relax and keep practicing” – this is counterintuitive
Vaginismus is curable, 100 % curable. It takes time and guidance and it takes an approach that addresses the issues that contribute to this. You cannot begin to treat vaginismus unless you address the physical, psychological and the
social problems associated with it.
Vaginismus is curable, 100 % curable
Does the woman have tightened vaginal muscle? Is there scarring or additional dryness in that area? What were her past experiences with intimacy like? Was there strict upbringing? Does she obsess over control? What is her current
relationship with her partner like? Is she comfortable with touching herself? What has she been told about first time sex- that there’s going to be bleeding and pain?!
Vaginismus come in many forms some mild, some more severe. I would like to introduce to you the different grades of vaginismus. This is the Lamont classification of vaginismus and it details the reaction a woman with vaginismus, might
have, in anticipation of painful vaginal penetration.
Vaginismus come in many forms some mild, some more severe
Lamont Classification
1st degree vaginismusas spasm of the pelvic floor that could be relieved with reassurance and the patient could relax for her examination.
2nd degree vaginismus, generalized spasm of the pelvic floor as a steady state despite reassurance, and the patient was unable to relax for the exam.
3rd degree vaginismus, the pelvic floor spasm was sufficiently severe that the patient would elevate her buttocks in an attempt to avoid being examined.
4th degree vaginismus, the most severe form of vaginismus described by Lamont, the patient would totally retreat by elevating the buttocks, moving away from the pelvic exam, and tightly closing the thighs to prevent any examination.
5th degree vaginismusmanifested by increased adrenalin output and resulting in any of the following: Increased heart rate, palpitations, hyperventilation, trembling, shaking, nausea or vomiting, crying uncontrollably, a feeling of light headedness and fainting, a desire to jump off the table, run away or even attack the doctor.