Vaginismus Physiotherapy treatment

Vaginismus is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions of the pelvic floor muscles, making vaginal penetration difficult or impossible. This can significantly affect women, often leading to pain, discomfort, and frustration.

At Opal Physiotherapy Clinic, we understand that vaginismus can be challenging and distressing for many women. Our compassionate and experienced physiotherapists are here to provide the support and treatment you need to overcome vaginismus and improve your emotional well-being, physical activity, sexual satisfaction, and quality of life.

What is Vaginismus?

Vaginismus is a condition in which the muscles around the vagina involuntarily contract. It is the reflexive contraction of the vagina during penetration, making it difficult or impossible for a woman to have sexual intercourse, insert tampons, or undergo gynecological examinations. This involuntary muscle contraction can cause pain or discomfort and a feeling of tightness.

Vaginismus is a psycho-physiological disorder affecting about 5% to 17% of women globally. Vaginismus can profoundly impact a woman’s self-esteem, relationships, and overall quality of life. It is essential to seek professional help to address this condition’s physical and emotional aspects through various treatment options, such as therapy, relaxation techniques, and pelvic floor exercises.

Types of vaginismus

Vaginismus disorder is classified based on the onset or circumstances into,

Primary vaginismus: It is a lifelong condition. You can be diagnosed with this if you never had pain-free sexual intercourse or penetration.

Secondary Or Acquired Vaginismus: This condition is sudden difficulty with sexual intercourse or any attempt to insert something into your vagina. It means you have had previous pain-free sex or penetration, but not anymore.

Clinical signs and symptoms of vaginismus:

• Painful sex
• Impossible penetration
• Lack of sexual desires
• Fear of sex
• Pain during pelvic floor palpation or gynecological examination

Untreated signs of painful vaginal penetration can lead to more complications.

The good news is that physiotherapy can be effective at treating vaginismus if it is treated early enough. A physiotherapist can assess whether the problem is due to psychological factors or physical causes. If the cause is physical, then physiotherapy may be able to treat the problem.

Physiotherapy treatment for vaginismus

At our clinic, experienced physiotherapists will work closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses the root causes of your vaginismus. The treatment aims to relieve pain, relax the pelvic floor muscles, enhance voluntary control of the vaginal contraction, and enhance sexual satisfaction by restoring functional penetration. The physical evaluation begins with your consent and a detailed clinical examination to determine the treatment objective.

Our treatment approach includes the following:

1. Pelvic floor muscle training

Our physiotherapists will teach you how to identify, control, and relax your pelvic floor muscles to help reduce the involuntary contractions that cause vaginismus. This may involve Kegels or pelvic floor muscle exercises, which can help lengthen and relax the muscles around the vagina.

Physiotherapists can also train you using breathing and relaxation techniques to help relax the pelvic floor muscles and to gain control over the pelvic muscles causing the vagina to spasm.

2. Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a technique that helps you become more aware of your body’s physiological responses. Using sensors to evaluate muscle activity, our physiotherapists can provide real-time feedback on your pelvic floor muscle function, helping you learn to control and relax these muscles more effectively.

3. Manual therapy

In most cases, our physiotherapists may use gentle manual techniques to help relax and stretch the muscles around the vagina. This can help to reduce pain and discomfort associated with this condition.

4. Graded exposure and desensitization techniques

Our therapist can recommend desensitization techniques through graded exposure, such as vaginal dilators, to help you gradually become more comfortable with vaginal penetration. Our physiotherapists will guide you through the process, ensuring that you progress at a comfortable pace.

5. Client education about the condition

At our clinic, we believe that client education plays a crucial role in successfully treating vaginismus. Our physiotherapists take the time to explain the condition in detail, helping clients understand the underlying causes, symptoms, and potential triggers.

We also emphasize the importance of open communication, encouraging clients to share their concerns and experiences with their therapist. By providing a comprehensive understanding of this condition, we empower our clients to take an active role in their recovery process, fostering a sense of control and confidence in their ability to overcome this challenging condition.

6. Psychological support

As vaginismus can often have psychological triggers, your therapist will work with you to address any underlying emotional or psychological factors contributing to your condition. This may involve collaborating with other healthcare professionals, such as psychologists or counsellors, to provide comprehensive care.

For best results, regular treatments are recommended for 6-8 weeks before improvement might be noticeable. For the pelvic floor muscles’ strength to get back to normal, it may take a little longer than three months, depending on your ability to relax the muscles effectively.

Why choose our Langley clinic for vaginismus treatment?

• Experienced physiotherapists: Our physiotherapists are highly trained and experienced in treating vaginismus and other pelvic floor disorders.
• Personalized treatment plans: We understand that every woman’s experience with vaginismus is unique, and we encompass our treatment plans to meet your specific needs and goals.
• Compassionate care: We prioritize your comfort and well-being at our clinic. Our team is dedicated to providing a safe, supportive, and confidential environment for you to receive the care you need.
• Collaborative approach: We believe in working closely with other healthcare professionals to ensure you receive the most comprehensive care possible.

If you’re struggling with vaginismus, don’t hesitate to contact our pelvic therapist in Langley. You need not be embarrassed because our physiotherapists care and understand your condition. Our team is here to help you overcome this condition and improve your quality of life. To book an appointment or learn more about our services, please get in touch with us.