Vaginismus & Anorgasmia: What they Are & What to Do About them

Are you a lady, and you experience pain when having sex because of the vaginal muscles' contraction? Don't worry. In this article, learn more about vaginismus and anorgasmia and what you must do if you are experiencing them.

Some ladies experience pain because of persistent contraction of the vaginal muscles when trying to penetrate. This condition is referred to as vaginismus. These contractions prevent sexual intercourse or make the process painful; hence, you will be accompanied by pain instead of having the pleasure you expect. Although this condition does not prevent sexual arousal, it makes the process painful that scares most ladies out of it. There will be no cause of muscle contractions or any physical abnormalities that leads to the situation after taking the pelvic exam. However, a lady can be treated after careful medical attention. Delayed orgasmic sensations are also referred to as anorgasmia. In some ladies, it is characterized by less orgasmic sensations.

What Is Vaginismus

Ramanathan et al. (2022) stated that vaginismus is the spasms of the pelvic floor muscles when attempting penetration. This term is rarely used alone as it is accompanied by the DSM-5, which classifies this condition under penetrations disorder or Genito pelvic pain (GPPPD). Boge-Olsnes et al. (2022) revealed that GPPPD is a complex condition in ladies that makes it painful, impossible, or difficult to have sex, insert a tampon or have a gynecological examination. When you try to insert something into the vagina, if you have this condition, the muscles contract involuntary, denying access to it.

Facts About Vaginismus

• There are several types of vaginismus, and the symptoms vary from person to person.
• The condition can result from emotional factors, medical operations, or both.
• Treating the conditions involves both emotional and physical exercise because they are the most effective.

Common Types of Vaginismus

Several types of pelvic or genital pain affect people, depending on their age. Vaginismus, grouped under GPPPD, falls under primary, secondary, global, and situational categories.

Primary Vaginismus

This condition occurs when a person experiences pain trying to have sex or enter something into the vagina for the first time. Therefore, it is tough for a lady to undergo any gynecological examination. During sexual intercourse, a lady can't have difficulties when penetrating. This causes the patient to experience intense pain, burning sensations, or muscle spasms. The effects stop when the trial for penetration stops.

Secondary Vaginismus

Naderi (2022) stated that secondary vaginismus occurs after experiencing expected sexual function. Although vaginismus hasn't been present previously, it can occur at any stage of life. This occurs due to infections, medical conditions, childbirth, menopause, or surgery.

The conditions can be treated after the underlying condition is eliminated. However, it may still occur if the body is situated to respond that way. The condition may also have physiological roots like emotional, physical trauma, or both simultaneously.

Global and Situational Vaginismus

These two conditions can lie in either primary or secondary vaginismus. In global vaginismus, symptoms appear when attempting any penetration. Situational vaginismus refers to top symptoms showing up to some penetrations but not others. For instance, you have situational vaginismus if you can have sex, but you can insert a tampon.

Symptoms Of Vaginismus

The symptoms may vary depending on the patient. They include:

• Difficult or impossible penetrations.
• Long-term pain after sexual intercourse without any known cause.
• Pain when having gynecological examination.
• Pain when inserting tampon
• Pain, burning, or stinging sensation when having sex.
• Muscle spasms when attempting intercourse.

Causes of Vaginismus

The condition can occur due to emotional stress, physical stressor, or all simultaneously. In some cases., it may become anticipatory; a person expects it to happen.

What To Do If You Have It (Treatment)

Treatment of these conditions depends on the cause and may involve different specialists. The treatment of aims to reduce the contractions of muscles during attempted penetration. It also removes the fear of pain and removes any related effect that may result due to vaginismus. It can be treated by the following means:

• Pelvic floor exercises
• Pulsed radio frequency
• Surgery
• Progressive desensitization
• Botox and
• Education and counseling.

What Is Anorgasmia in Ladies?

Lew-Starowicz & Czajkowska (2022) stated that anorgasmia is delayed, lacking, or infrequent orgasms. It can be less intense orgasmic sensations after sexual arousal due to inadequate sexual stimulation. Ladies with such conditions will feel distressed. The frequency and intensity of orgasms vary from person to person. The type and amount of stimulation needed for a lady to have orgasmic sensations also varies. Many factors lead to anorgasmia. They include intimacy issues: medical conditions, cultural factors, medications, or physical conditions.

Symptoms of Anorgasmia

• Delayed orgasmic sensation
• Lack of orgasms
• Less intense orgasmic sensations
• Infrequent orgasmic sensation

Stages or Types of Anorgasmia

Lifelong

The condition occurs if you have never had any orgasmic sensation, no matter how intense the stimulation is.

Situational

You have orgasmic sensations only in social situations and not in others.

Acquired

You've always had orgasmic sensations, but new problems hinder you from having them.

Generalized

The condition occurs if you don't have any orgasmic sensations in any situation.

Causes Of Anorgasmia

Personal and psychological factors include poor body shape and embarrassment about having sex: religious and cultural beliefs, mental health conditions, and stressors.

Relationships such as unresolved conflicts, breach of trust, intimate violence, sexual dysfunction, and lack of emotional intimacy cause anorgasmia.

Health conditions, alcohol and smoking, age, gynecological treatment, and medications can cause anorgasmia.

When To Seek Your Doctor & Treatment

Talk to your health professional for direction to take about your sex life, especially if your ability to achieve orgasmic sensations is minimized. Treatment of these conditions depends on the contributing factor. It may include;

Lifestyle Changes and Therapy

• Education
• Sunstate focus
• Changing sexual positions
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Masturbation and sexual enhancement devices.

Medical Treatment

• Estrogen therapy and
• Testosterone therapy

The Bottom Line

Vaginismus is the spasms of the pelvic floor muscles when attempting penetration. Anorgasmia is delayed, lacking, or infrequent orgasms. It can be less intense orgasmic sensations after sexual arousal due to inadequate sexual stimulation. These conditions can occur individually or simultaneously. Common types of vaginismus include; primary, secondary, global, and situational. Feeling pain in the vagina when inserting a tampon, a penis, or a dildo are signs of vaginismus. Note these symptoms and see a doctor for medical treatment.

References

Boge-Olsnes, C. M., Risør, M. B., & Øberg, G. K. (2022). How Life Events Are Perceived To Link To Bodily Distress: A Qualitative Study Of Women With Chronic Pelvic Pain. Health Care For Women International, 1-21.

Lew-Starowicz, Z., & Czajkowska, K. (2022). Prevalence Of Sexual Dysfunctions And Associated Risk Factors In Poland. Archives Of Medical Science: AMS, 18(4), 1031.

Naderi, S. (2022). The Impact Of The Experience Of Sexual Violence On Female Sexual Dysfunction. Advances In Health And Behavior, 5, 192-199.

Ramanathan, V., Gautham, K., & Ramasubramaniam, U. M. (2022). Common Pitfalls In The Management Of Vaginismus In Couples With Subfertility In India. Journal Of Psychosexual Health, 4(2), 133-137.