To ask if any of you have ever been diagnosed with vaginismus?

[Titsntats]

Sorry to be posting here for traffic. And I promise I’m not some kind of sex troll! Haven’t name changed as if you can identify me from previous posts then fair play to you

Have very recently been diagnosed, after about 8 months of various different tests, GP appointments, scans and gynae referrals. Everything else has been ruled out and this is now the diagnosis. Secondary as apparently there has been no cause or trigger, and I used to have a very normal sex life until around a year ago. Now even the thought of it hurts me . I knew there was something wrong and am glad I have got a diagnosis, but there’s not much info online

Anyone got any experiences of it? Managed to have successful treatment or still living with it?

Me, I’m suffering with it, it was diagnosed with a simple examination though, nothing like what you’ve had. I got my diagnosis and was sent on my way. I don’t know what to do or how to fix myself

I was but it was a misdiagnosis. 6 weeks of oestrogen cream and it disappeared. Something about atrophy. Can't remember the correct diagnosis in the end!!

@giraffe31 there’s just no information is there! I’d never really even heard of it. I had all the other tests done as there seemed to be something else going on, drs thought fibroids, PCOS etc but all ruled out. Hoping I might one day be able to go back to normal but there’s just nothing to go on is there I feel your pain

I don't have it myself but one of the writers/video bloggers at Buzzfeed has it and I've watched her videos about different ways she's tried to treat it. Not exactly sound medical advise but it was an interesting watch even as a non-sufferer.
A google of vaginismus Buzzfeed brought up a few of her articles.

I've wondered before if I had it but I no longer have the issues I used to have.

I think you can get dialators. They start small and gradually increase so you stretch yourself more. It's gradual though.

Me. 16 years ago, somehow have managed to have 3 children, but can't even remember the last time I had sex.

I can never understand why dilators are assumed to be the answer when in many cases even the thought of putting something penetrative within a country mile of your vagina makes it close up tighter than ..... I don't know what!!

@Mrsmorton that’s interesting to hear, might mention that at my next appt

I think it's a diagnosis that covers a lot of different things and one that you are kind of abandoned with , without treatment or support.

I had this after DC1 despite having had a C-section. My gynea just shrugged her shoulders. Eventually it got better but was much worse after DD2, again no help from the gynea even though the pain was so bad I could not have sex. Quite a few months down the line I realized that the mini-pill plus breastfeeding were causing low estrogen which I assumed was causing the pain. I stopped the mini-pill and things returned to normal very quickly.

I do remember that when I was young I had the same problem when trying to have sex for the first time. Again it was dismissed by the gynea who suggested I was just inexperienced (different arsehole gynea to the later one). This went on for months but resolved when I went on the combined pill.

Are you pregnant, breastfeeding, peri-menopausal, menopausal, or on hormonal contraception/treatment?

@catmumof1 thank you for that, will have a look!

@ChipInTheSugar exactly that! Even the thought of it makes me cringe

@Booboostwo I definitely agree with you there about the being left to deal with it. There’s hardly any research or info online either. And nope, none of those things. Not on any contraception as no need for it in the current circumstances. Last GP has suggested the implant to see if that may help if it is something hormone related

I'd try that if I were you. When I went through this there was no way the stupid dilators and progressively larger dildos would have helped. I couldn't use a tampon!

www.netdoctor.co.uk/conditions/sexual-health/a23611347/vaginismus-treatments-tips/

www.isswsh.org/images/PDF/NVA.Self-help.guide.pdf

The second link is vulvodynia-related; the two are often comorbid.

Have had it thirty years.

The net doctor article is really patronizing and shows all that is wrong with women’s healthcare. When men have trouble retracting their foreskins no doctor dares suggest it is all in their mind.

I have never been able to use a tampon, just feels like someone has punched me upwards.

My vaginismus felt like a ring of fire at the entrance of my vagina. What used to be soft and supple, for some reason became insanely sensitive and painful. The interior of the vagina still felt the same.

Not been actually diagnosed and I'm okay with PIV sex.
However it's more foreign objects such as Tampons. I had one smear and it was a nightmare. I don't know how the help people get the bloody coil fitted.

Sounds like a nerve issue? Can you see a women’s health physio?
Might also be worth trying an estrogen cream before any other hormone therapy? Again a physio may help with that?

Bizarrely I am ok with smears, maybe because I know it will hurt, is not supposed to give any pleasure and is over in a short amount of time.

You might like to read this book by Linda Valins. It's called When A Woman's Body Says No To Sex.
www.goodreads.com/book/show/502923.When_a_Woman_s_Body_Says_No_to_Sex

I'm surprised your GP hasn't referred you to a sex therapist if it's vaginismus. That's what I got, plus a recommendation of dilators (they helped, but you really do need to work at it). The therapy is a bit weird, but useful. I'm not fixed yet, but it's getting there. I used to find tampons impossible, they're now ok - although still not my preference and occasionally a bit awkward.

I've never had a smear, last time I went to the GP she tried to get me to make the appointment. She hadn't spotted the vaginismus on my record, and agreed that if I thought it would be too distressing to have a smear then I could skip it. Given I struggle with PIV sex, there's no chance I'm prepared to set that back by having a smear. Since my therapy ended I've been less good at the homework, which has set me back a bit, so it's still all a work in progress. But there is progress and it will get there.

Hi OP - I have the condition (primary). Was referred to a psychosexual therapist. Not there yet but very very slowly things are improving. I’ve also just given birth naturally - which is amazing! I’ve written about my experience in another thread that I just started. Happy to answer any questions re the treatment and conception etc

I had this after the birth of my first child. The elderly dr knew what it was straight away. Gave me a bottle of pills (which I think were muscle relaxants - I don’t know and didn't ask, it was over 40 years ago). They worked a treat and I was right as rain. I’m sorry you’re all struggling even with a diagnosis, let alone a treatment.