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When we talk about vaginismus, we are referring to one of the female sexual dysfunctions that most affect women around the world. It is said that a woman suffers from vaginismus when the pelvic muscles that surround the vagina contract at the time of penetration or the introduction of some object, such as the use of a tampon. Due to the contraction of these muscles, the woman experiences a lot of pain when having sexual intercourse, when performing a gynecological examination, etc. which has many consequences for her not only physically but also psychologically. Some women have had this type of condition all their lives, there are also others who have begun to manifest it from a specific moment. So the causes vary from one woman to another,however the symptoms and even the treatment (if they have a psychological cause) are usually similar.
In this Psychology-Online article we will talk about vaginismus: what it is, causes, symptoms and treatment. In addition, we are going to give you all the information you need to expand your knowledge about this disorder.
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- That there is little vaginal lubrication
Treatment for vaginismus
Treatment for vaginismus has a good prognosis and in the vast majority of cases women usually eliminate their problem. To find out which is the appropriate treatment for each woman, we will focus on finding its causes. In the case of a physical problem, it has to be treated by the doctor and / or the gynecologist. On the other hand, when the problem is of psychological origin, you have to go to a professional who can be a psychologist or a sexologist.
Psychological therapy to treat vaginismus
The therapy that has given the best results to treat sexual dysfunctions, and in this case vaginismus, is cognitive behavioral therapy. In therapy, the first thing that is worked on is with psychoeducation, where detailed information is provided to the patient about this condition, as well as its causes, symptoms, treatment, etc. all your doubts are solved and at the same time, through cognitive restructuringall negative and / or irrational ideas and beliefs about sex-related issues are removed. It is about the woman who has this disorder to have a more objective and positive perception about her sexuality and the enjoyment of it in order to significantly reduce those fears that do not allow her to fully enjoy sexual relations. You will also be tasked with gradually doing some exercises at home with the goal of getting to know your own body more and more and becoming more aware of its sensations.
Other types of exercises that are entrusted to you have the objective of strengthening the pelvic muscles, learning to relax it and to relax in a way that generates your body so that the partner is gradually included in the treatment and that little by little they facilitate penetration. All this is a process and requires effort, time and dedication, the exercises that are entrusted depend on the particular situation of each woman but they all have the same objective, to learn to relax the body and also the pelvic muscles, to improve perception about sexuality and finally ensure that penetration does not cause discomfort and that women can fully enjoy their sexual encounters. It is also recommended to complement these exercises with cognitive therapy based on mindfulness.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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