Let’s Talk About Reproductive Issues*
Though it isn’t commonly talked about or even covered in most sex ed classes, people with vaginas can experience a wide variety of problems involving their reproductive system.
To start off this discussion, let’s talk about a condition that affects about 2 in every 1000 people with a vagina. It’s called vaginismus. (Some professionals believe that the number might be even greater due to some people being embarrassed about their condition, or being misdiagnosed or misinformed as to what it actually is.)
But what is vaginismus? Well, the website devoted to it (vaginismus.com) defines it as “vaginal tightness causing discomfort, burning, pain, penetration problems, or complete inability to have intercourse”. Symptoms include a burning sensation during penetrative sex, pain, tightness, etc. But these symptoms are not exclusive to sex, they can also be a difficulty in putting in tampons, or uncomfortable pelvic exams.
The reason why one might feel such sensations is as shown below. Being triggered by something emotionally, physically, or environmentally causes the pelvic floor muscles to involuntarily tighten. When that happens, there is nothing that the person with vaginismus or their partner can do to make it stop. This can make penetration difficult or completely impossible.
But why exactly does this happen? Every person is different and so the reason vary. It might be a physical problem (menopause, trauma to pelvic area, childbirth, etc), it might be a mental one (anxiety, past/present abuse, poor sexual education, etc). Sometimes it’s a mix of both and because of that, some specialists will suggest also attending therapy with a psychologist.
Vaginismus can be an extremely frustrating condition to live with because it can make someone’s consensual, fun sex turn into an episode of embarrassment or anxiety over the difficulty/pain involved. For some people, these feelings of stress or depression stay with them and make them worried about their next encounter with penetrative sex. These feelings are linked to a vicious “cycle of pain” that is common when suffering from this condition.
And now you’re probably thinking, “Well, I think I have vaginismus, what now? Is there any treatment for this condition?”
So here’s the good news– yes, there’s treatment! Vaginismus actually a very treatable reproductive disorder! It’s important to meet with your general provider to discuss the treatment options that are best for you, because they can vary greatly from person to person, and it might take some time to figure out what works best for you.
Some people work with physical therapists to help strengthen their pelvic floor muscles, learning how to control them better.
Some people attend therapy session with a psychologist to discuss reasons for their anxiety over sex, or to talk about how having the condition influences them.
Some people respond best to a treatment with dilators, inserted at home into the vagina to help it better respond to penetration.
And if you’re currently struggling with this awful condition, or you think you are? It’s total okay and normal to get help. This is something that needs professional attention, and you deserve to get it.
Sex doesn’t have to hurt, and it never should!
For more information, please contact your doctor or a gynecologist’s office. Also, visit vaginismus.com, their website helped us a lot in writing this post!
(Photos courtesy of vaginismus.com)
