Sex is a pleasurable activity, however, it is a harrowing experience for someone who experiences vaginismus. Vaginismus is a different kind of pain; it is defined as the “Body’s automatic reaction to the fear of some or all types of vaginal penetration.

” Vaginismus is a painful muscular contraction of the vagina. In this situation, the vaginal muscles tighten up involuntarily and the woman has no control over it. The affected person may find it hard to have penetrative sex, insert a tampon, experience a burning sensation.

There is a culture of silence around Vaginismus, experts say that globally, it is estimated that between one and 17 per cent of women experience this condition yearly.

Medical experts at the Oregon, US-based Orthopaedic and TMJ Physical Therapy Centre say the spasm causes the vaginal opening to become constricted, making penetration painful or impossible.

They said a woman may have always had this condition or she may have lost penetration ability after a trauma such as infection, injury, abuse, surgery, or high-stress situations. The cause of vaginismus is unknown.

You may have vaginismus if;

1. You are unable to have sexual intercourse, or you are unable to have sex without pain,
2. Are unable to have a pelvic exam without pain
3. Are unable to insert a finger, medicine applicator, insert tampon.

If you constantly complain of the following with the above mentioned, then it’s high time you notify your medical doctor.

1. Pinching, pressure, or tightening in the vagina.
2. Lack of sexual interest.
3. sharp pains in the vagina.
4. Radiating pain in the abdomen or groin.
5. Pain during bowel movement.

There are different types of vaginismus – primary and secondary, experts say. According to experts, “Primary vaginismus is when the pain and muscle contraction have always been present in which case, the woman can never tolerate any kind of vaginal penetration.

For secondary vaginismus, the pain may be triggered by childbirth (probably after stitches) or an infection (like yeast). In secondary vaginismus, the woman has no pain during penetration initially but at some point, the pain comes in.

General, global, or total vaginismus is when a woman feels pain whenever anything enters her vagina.