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Conditions

Vaginismus

Set of vaginal cones to help treat vaginismus

Vaginismus is a psychological condition that manifests itself physically, when the muscles around the vagina contract and spasm against a woman’s will. This usually occurs in response to the vagina or vulva being touched. But it can also happen during the attempted insertion of the penis into the vagina during sexual intercourse, which can be quite painful. Many vaginismus sufferers and their partners describe attempting penetrative sex as like “hitting a brick wall”. It’s these difficulties, which can disrupt a couple’s sex life and often lead to the cessation of any penetrative sexual activity, which can create relationship problems. However, it is untrue that women with this condition do not like or want sex, because many sufferers continue to enjoy non-penetrative intimacy. There are many different causes of this condition, although the reason depends on the individual person. Treatment will ultimately depend on whether the root cause can be identified.

What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments and Questions

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Hi me and my partner have been together for 3 years and the sex life was very active but after having our son she cant have penetrative sex as this seems extremly painful when we have tryed we have been to the doctors a few. Times but they keep saying it might be thrush or something I suspect she may have this condition and was wondering what we could do to get rid of this as there is a lot of tension between us any help is much appreciated





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hi i'm 18 and i'm not sure if i have vaginismus!! ? :o every time me and my bf try have sex his penis (big) barely goes in and when it dose only an inch because of the pain i get when he try's deeper after a few sec 's ? and the same when he gose to far in when fingering me :/ i don't no if its just because i'm still a virgin that it hurt's to much?? i'm stressing over it because i really want to be intament with him :( :( what can i do??? signed sadface





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hi, i am 18 years old and every time i try to have intercourse, it really hurts, i didnt really bother with regular checks down there, until now. i have noticed that my vaginal opening doesnt seem to be open, there is skin there, but for some reason i am still able to have intercourse, although it is extremely painful. i dont know what is wrong, i think it may be vaginismus, but i am worried that it is something worse. can you help me?





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hi i have some lumps on my vigina and i got them looked at and was told i hadnt got anything. they arent itchy or sore but ive been looking at gential warts/herpes and they look a little bit like them. they do come and go an are still there and they are worrying me. what should i do?





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hi im 13 and ive just notice that i got a lump on my vagina and its itchy and painful and when i put my legs together it feels sore and warm please help im worried :( :(





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I have to agree with Annie, I cannot stress enough on how good the treatment kit is. I went through the programme at my own pace and was able to consummate my marriage after 4 years.





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Im 22 years old and iv been with my partner for almost 5 years. for over a year and a half now wev struggled to have sex. sex is too painful for me, it feels swollen and too tight for anything. I cant even do it myself! it just feels numb when its not painful and i now have no sex drive at all. Iv been to the doctors three times and been referred but they have found nothing wrong! there are often thrush like symptoms after we try to have sex but both of us have taken all the varieties of over the counter remedies and i tested negative for the extreme thrush (candia?) my boyfriend is so supportive and patient but its really affecting our relationship and me personally!! PLEASE HELP!!





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im a 28 years old woman with a bit of overweight. 165 73 kilos... i rarely smoke and almost never drinks alcohol eat quite healthy and work standing 5 days a week. lately lets say in the passed 5 months ive been experimenting vaginal contractions when i get sexually aroused. is quite ruff i feel them in a sense it bothers me and sometimes causes a bit of pain for a sec or two. i started taking birthcontrol pills but then gave me vaginal dryness for a while. when i stopped taking them everything went back to normal but i got the cramps back. ive read about symptoms and i dont really know whats wrong or might be.





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I have had sex a couple of times before but it has always been painful which i expected on my first few times but i am now with someone and we tried having sex but my vagina is just too small and would not allow it. Looking at the symptoms of vaginimus it sounds very similar to me. Im so embarrassed to go see anyone or speak to anyone. I just don't know what to do.





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Hi Katie, I didn't go to the doctor either (it's not an issue that's highlighted enough in the uk unfortunately). I ordered a kit from vaginismus.com and that helped me overcome, you should order it, highly recommend it, all the best.

I am 15 years of age and I think i suffer from Vaginismus. I have been with my partner for 2 years and have had many attempts at having sex but unfortunatly failed. I am wondering if i should go to the local health clinic to try improve this. I am very nervous but i just want to sort this problem out. what should i do?!





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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Content supplied by NHS Choices

Vaginismus is when the muscles around the vagina tighten involuntarily when penetration of the vagina is attempted. It makes sexual intercourse difficult or impossible (the vagina can completely close up) and it can be painful. Read More »

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