Vaginismus Causes: The Underlying Reasons for Sexual Pain Disorder
Vaginismus is among the numerous sexual pain disorders that can affect the quality of sexual life.
It is characterized by the over-tightening of the vaginal muscles, which causes strong and involuntary muscle spasms or intense pain during intercourse.
It can also cause painful insertion of a tampon or while getting a pelvic examination.
According to NCBI, about 5 to 47 percent of the population suffer from Vaginismus. Thus, learning about its causes is crucial to prevent them.
This comprehensive article will elaborate on the various Vaginismus causes and their underlying reasons.
So, let’s delve into the topic and explore them in detail!
What are the causes of Vaginismus
There can be numerous Vaginismus causes, as follows:
Childbirth injuries
Some injuries during childbirth may cause Dyspareunia (persistent or recurrent pain in the genitals before, during, or after sexual intercourse) in women.
Vaginal tearing, emergency c-section, and use of surgical tools may cause injuries and lead to Vaginismus.
Anxiety disorders
According to NCBI, some psychological triggers, such as Anxiety disorders, stress, or past sexual abuse, are among other Vaginismus causes.
Further, fear, negative thoughts, or traumatic childhood experiences are also among some non-physical causes of Vaginismus.
Surgery
Surgeries in the pelvic region may also cause scars in the area and lead to painful vaginal penetration.
It often leads to painful vaginal penetration for the first few months after the surgery.
However, the medical condition may return to normal in women after recovering from the surgery.
Congenital Anatomic Disability
Congenital Anatomic Disability or congenital malformation can give rise to the organic Vaginismus causes.
It occurs due to the abnormal development of Mullerian ducts and the urogenital sinus.
These ducts are responsible for the formation of female reproductive tracts, such as oviducts, uterus and vagina.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis can cause severe pain and discomfort in women.
In a study, it was found that Endometriosis may cause sexual dysfunctions in women, and Vaginismus is one among them.
Menopause
The level of Estrogen decreases after Menopause in women.
Low Estrogen can lead to the narrowing and shortening of the vagina, which may cause painful sexual intercourse.
Further, the drop in the circulating Estrogen can cause changes in vaginal lubrication and thus cause Dyspareunia.
Vaginal infections
Bladder infections that affect the urinary bladder can worsen the Vaginismus.
Urinary Tract Infections cause tightening of the pelvic floor muscles in response to severe pain and discomfort.
In case of repeated infections, tight pelvic floor muscles can mimic the UTI situation even in the absence of infections.
The association between UTI and painful vaginal penetration was found in nearly 80% of premenopausal women.
The condition rises to the second most common cause of Dyspareunia in menopausal women.
Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome
According to NCBI, women suffering from Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome can also deal with Vaginismus.
Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome is a condition with a group of symptoms that causes severe pain on the attempt to vaginal penetration and tenderness to pressure.
Vulvodynia
Some women suffering from Vulvodynia may develop Vaginismus, although these conditions may occur independently.
Vulvodynia is a chronic pain in the vulvar region without an identifiable cause.
Conclusion
Vaginismus causes over-tightening of the vaginal muscles and can lead to painful vaginal penetration.
It may be caused due to various physical and psychological reasons.
Injuries during childbirth and surgeries may cause scars or vaginal tearing that may cause Vaginismus
Also, Congenital Anatomic Disability may cause abnormal development of ducts and result in Vaginismus.
Furthermore, Endometriosis, Menopause, vaginal infections, Vulvodynia, and Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome can also lead to the condition.
Moreover, psychological triggers, such as anxiety, stress, or past trauma and sexual abuse, may also develop a fear of sexual intercourse.
You can consult a healthcare practitioner and seek medical treatments to improve your sexual life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Menopause cause Vaginismus?
Yes, Menopause may cause Vaginismus in women. The level of Estrogen decreases after Menopause. It can cause the narrowing of the vagina and changes in vaginal lubrication. It can lead to painful sexual intercourse.
What causes Vaginismus?
There are various physical and psychological causes of Vaginismus. Childbirth injuries, surgeries, Menopause, and vaginal infections can cause it. Also, some health conditions, such as Endometriosis, Vulvodia, and Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome, cause Vaginismus. Further, past traumas and stress are psychological causes.
Can stress cause Vaginismus?
Yes, some psychological triggers, such as stress and Anxiety, can cause Vaginismus. Further, it can be caused due to childhood experiences, past sexual abuse, fear, and negative thoughts. You can consult a therapist and seek medical help.
Are there any congenital causes of Vaginismus?
Yes, Congenital Anatomic Disability is among the organic causes of Vaginismus. It occurs due to the abnormal development of Mullerian ducts and the urogenital sinus. These are responsible for the formation of oviducts, the uterus, and the vagina.
Vaginal infections
Bladder infections that affect the urinary bladder can worsen the Vaginismus.
Urinary Tract Infections cause tightening of the pelvic floor muscles in response to severe pain and discomfort.
In case of repeated infections, tight pelvic floor muscles can mimic the UTI situation even in the absence of infections.
The association between UTI and painful vaginal penetration was found in nearly 80% of premenopausal women.
The condition rises to the second most common cause of Dyspareunia in menopausal women.
Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome
According to NCBI, women suffering from Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome can also deal with Vaginismus.
Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome is a condition with a group of symptoms that causes severe pain on the attempt to vaginal penetration and tenderness to pressure.
Vulvodynia
Some women suffering from Vulvodynia may develop Vaginismus, although these conditions may occur independently.
Vulvodynia is a chronic pain in the vulvar region without an identifiable cause.
Conclusion
Vaginismus causes over-tightening of the vaginal muscles and can lead to painful vaginal penetration.
It may be caused due to various physical and psychological reasons.
Injuries during childbirth and surgeries may cause scars or vaginal tearing that may cause Vaginismus
Also, Congenital Anatomic Disability may cause abnormal development of ducts and result in Vaginismus.
Furthermore, Endometriosis, Menopause, vaginal infections, Vulvodynia, and Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome can also lead to the condition.
Moreover, psychological triggers, such as anxiety, stress, or past trauma and sexual abuse, may also develop a fear of sexual intercourse.
You can consult a healthcare practitioner and seek medical treatments to improve your sexual life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Menopause cause Vaginismus?
Yes, Menopause may cause Vaginismus in women. The level of Estrogen decreases after Menopause. It can cause the narrowing of the vagina and changes in vaginal lubrication. It can lead to painful sexual intercourse.
What causes Vaginismus?
There are various physical and psychological causes of Vaginismus. Childbirth injuries, surgeries, Menopause, and vaginal infections can cause it. Also, some health conditions, such as Endometriosis, Vulvodia, and Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome, cause Vaginismus. Further, past traumas and stress are psychological causes.
Can stress cause Vaginismus?
Yes, some psychological triggers, such as stress and Anxiety, can cause Vaginismus. Further, it can be caused due to childhood experiences, past sexual abuse, fear, and negative thoughts. You can consult a therapist and seek medical help.
Are there any congenital causes of Vaginismus?
Yes, Congenital Anatomic Disability is among the organic causes of Vaginismus. It occurs due to the abnormal development of Mullerian ducts and the urogenital sinus. These are responsible for the formation of oviducts, the uterus, and the vagina.
