Vaginismus
10-15% of women experience pain in the lower abdomen. This can be both physically and psychologically taxing, as well as reduce the woman's quality of life.
One of these conditions is vaginismus. Here you can read more about symptoms, causes and how our therapists can help you reduce pain and help prevent the condition from worsening.
What is vaginismus?
Vaginismus is a condition where the muscles in the vagina contract involuntarily. This can make it painful or impossible to, among other things, have intercourse or insert a tampon. The condition can occur in women of all ages and can have many different causes.
Vaginismus is often related to weakness or tension in the pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor muscles are a group of muscles that surround the vaginal opening, the anus and the urethra, and which help to hold the organs in place and control the urge to urinate and defecate. When these muscles are weak or tense, it can cause them to contract suddenly and involuntarily when there is pressure or touch in the vagina, for example during intercourse or a gynecological examination.
Read more about the pelvic floor musclesCauses of vaginismus
The cause of vaginismus is unknown and it can vary from woman to woman. One of the most common explanations for vaginismus is feelings of fear or discomfort related to sexuality or physical intimacy. For example, a woman who has experienced sexual abuse or rape, or who has grown up with negative attitudes towards sex, may develop vaginismus as a way to protect herself from further pain or trauma. Nevertheless, the pain can also occur unannounced, and regardless of sexual causes.
In some cases, vaginismus can also be due to psychological causes such as trauma, fear and stress or physical causes, such as infections, inflammation or dryness in the vagina, injuries or operations in the pelvic area.
Symptoms of vaginismus
Many women with vaginismus experience varying degrees of pain or discomfort. Common symptoms of vaginismus include:
- Pain and discomfort in the vulva or vaginal opening
- Pain and cramping in the vagina during or before intercourse
- Difficulty inserting tampons or other objects into the vagina
- Feeling that the vagina is too tight or closed
- Repeated urinary tract and/or fungal infections
Some women may also experience a feeling that they have no control over their pelvic floor muscles. A burning or burning sensation around or in the opening to the chain may be vulvodynia (pain in the external genitalia), which is often seen in combination with vaginismus. Pain inside the chain itself could be endometriosis. It is not uncommon to get vuvoduni or vaginismus as a result of endometriosis.
How can Dr.Dropin help you?
- Learn to relax your pelvic floor muscles
- Vaginal dilator treatment: expand the elasticity of the chain little by little
- Massage
- Pelvic floor exercises
- Knowledge and information
We have therapists with specialist expertise in women's health in Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger
We know that the right competence and good chemistry are important. Below you can therefore get to know our therapists better. We hope this makes it easier to find a therapist who is right for you.
Ana-Maria Stefan
Chiropractor, Majorstuen
General Chiropractic | Headache | Women's Health | Pregnancy | Prolonged pain
Heidi Prytz
Chiropractor
General Chiropractic | Back | Neck | Women's Health | Needle treatment | Headache
Lina Beate Varhaug
Chiropractor, Stavanger sentrum
General Chiropractic | Back | Neck | Women's Health | Pregnancy | Shock wave therapy | Headache | Dizziness
Ingrid-Johanne Nilsen
Chiropractor, Bergen city center
General Chiropractic | Headache | Women's health | Pregnancy
Sunniva Leilani Tvedten
Physiotherapist, Carl Berner
General Physiotherapy | Rehabilitation | Women's Health | Stress management
Therapy
Prolonged and intense pain can affect both the psyche and cohabitation. As vaginismus can in many cases be linked to trauma, fear and stress, it may be appropriate to get help to process this through therapy.
Dr. Dropin has both psychologists and psychiatrists who have broad expertise in various problem areas. Below you can read more about our services and find a therapist that suits you best.
Gynecological examination
If you have pain in the abdomen but have not had other diagnoses confirmed, it may be a good idea to carry out a gynecological examination. Our gynecologists have broad expertise in women's diseases and meet all patients with understanding and empathy.
Below you can read more about our services and find a gynecologist that suits you best.