For many people, sex is considered one of the many joys in life. Although it feels good for many, some may experience the opposite, and it’s completely normal! No matter how taboo of a subject sex is, it plays a vital role in every adult relationship, so it can be a difficult thing to deal with if you’re experiencing pain instead of pleasure during sex.
So, what is this condition? Well, you might be experiencing vaginismus. According to the NHS, vaginismus is your body’s automatic reaction to the fear of some or all types of vaginal penetration. It’s when your vaginal muscles tighten up whenever you try to insert something into it, and it can be painful! Here are some of the common signs of vaginismus:
- You find it hard to insert a tampon into your vagina.
- You struggle with vaginal penetration during sex.
- You feel a burning or stinging pain during sex.
- Loss of sexual desire or performance anxiety.
Though many women choose to live with it, it CAN be treated! Here are some of the ways that you can treat vaginismus:
Sex Therapy
It’s always a good idea to seek help from professionals. Vaginismus is usually linked to anxiety or fear of having sex. Going to a sex therapist will give you more information on your condition and help you understand how your body works and how it’s responding. You can do this alone or with your partner – either way, the sex therapist might recommend different relaxation techniques that help you feel more comfortable during intercourse.
Vaginal Dilators
If you’ve been to a doctor, they might recommend using vaginal dilators. They are tube-shaped devices that come in various sizes, and they are used to stretch the vagina. It might sound scary at first, but you can start with the small ones, and then get progressively bigger as your muscles stretch and become more flexible. Most importantly, YOU are in control of this situation and YOU decide what you’re comfortable with!
Kegel Exercises
These exercises are easy and can be done from the comfort of your own home. Basically, you can do Kegel exercises by squeezing the same muscles you use to stop your pee. What you’re gonna do is squeeze your muscles and hold them for 2 to 10 seconds, and then release. You can do this as many times a day as you want to, since your goal is to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.
Physical Therapy
If you’re having trouble relaxing your pelvic floor muscles on your own, you can always go to a physical therapist who specializes in the pelvic floor. They will teach you how to use dilators and the different ways that you can relax your pelvic floor. So don’t be afraid to reach out for help!
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