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Vaginismus can occur later in life following years of pain-free or pleasurable intercourse.
Vaginismus can, and frequently does occur later in life following years of pain-free or pleasurable intercourse. This form of vaginismus is called secondary vaginismus. Symptoms may vary widely from simple discomfort to intense burning sensations upon penetration to inability to penetrate altogether. Sometimes the cause may not be apparent, other times it may stem from a wide range of medical/physical conditions such as discomfort from inadequate lubrication to more painful experiences such as childbirth, surgery, hormonal changes, or other health issues (see Causes). It can also be triggered in response to a traumatic emotional situation, such as a spouse's infidelity.
Many women initially keep on having intercourse even though it hurts. Eventually, due to the pain and discomfort they may avoid sex altogether. Sometimes thinking back to when the pain was first noticed helps to discover the cause. If the initial trigger was a medical problem that has not yet been addressed, medical treatment should be sought. It is often recommended to treat underlying medical issues and then focus on resolving the vaginismus problem.
"I can recommend use of this resource by all patients with vaginismus" - APTA Journal of Women's Health Physical Therapy
- Beth Shelly, PT, BCIA-PMDB
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