Vaginismus
You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Please enable scripts and reload this page.
Turn on more accessible mode
Turn off more accessible mode
Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Turn off Animations
Turn on Animations
CTDetailNew
It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again.
Appointment
Find a Condition or Treatment
Find a Doctor
Menu
MAIN
Back to Home
About Us
Corporate Profile
Newsroom
Contact Us
Patient Care
Conditions & Treatments
Specialties & Services
Your Clinic Visit
Pre/Post Surgery
e-Services
Regional Health Systems Network (RHS)
Patient Resources
Research & Innovation
About NDRIS
Our Research
Our Achievements & Innovations
Our Research Team
Education & Training
Dental Professional Training
DO Advanced Practice Programme
Alumni
Calendar of Events
SingHealth Academy
Careers
Why Choose Us
Career Choices
Sponsorships and Scholarships
Job Opportunities
Giving
Why Give?
Get Involved
Your Gift At Work
Be Informed
Make a Gift
Conditions & Treatments
Back to Home
Conditions & Treatments
Find a Doctor
Medicine
Specialties & Services
Back to Home
Department of Orthodontics
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Oral Medicine Unit
Department of Restorative Dentistry
Endodontics
Prosthodontics
Paediatric Dentistry
Periodontics
Geriatric Special Care Dentistry Clinic
Multidisciplinary Services
Corrective Jaw Surgery
Maxillofacial Rehabilitation
Aesthetic Dentistry
Tele-dentistry Oral Care for Seniors (T-DOCS)
Your Clinic Visit
Back to Home
Getting to NDCS
Getting Around NDCS
Arriving and Registering
Getting to NDCS Clinic@HPB
Your First Visit to NDCS
Collecting Your Medication
Follow Up and Discharge
Emergency Dental Services
Facilities Virtual Tour
Operating Hours
Consultation Charges
Bill Payment Options
Frequently Asked Questions on your visit to NDCS
Pre/Post Surgery
Back to Home
Preparing for Surgery
Observation and Going Home
Home Care After Gum Surgery
e-Services
Back to Home
Make/Change Appointment
Pay Your Bill Online
Request for Dental Report
Request for Dental Images
Regional Health Systems Network (RHS)
Back to Home
About NDCS Regional Health System (RHS)
Community Programmes & Services
Infant Oral Health Programme
Oral Health 8020 Movement
Oral Health Education Programme (OHEP)
Project Silverscreen
Tele-Dentistry Oral Care for Seniors (T-DOCS)
NDCS Mobile Dental Bus
CAPP Partners
Patient Resources
Home
to skip to the main content on a page
to skip to the main content on a page
About Us
Back to Home
Corporate Profile
Vision, Mission & Values
Our History
Who We Are
Awards and Achievements
Newsroom
NDCS in the News
Media Releases
Check Fake News
Contact Us
Referrals
Share Your Feedback
Whistle-blowing Policy
Patient Care
Back to Home
Conditions & Treatments
Conditions & Treatments
Find a Doctor
Medicine
Specialties & Services
Department of Orthodontics
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Department of Restorative Dentistry
Geriatric Special Care Dentistry Clinic
Multidisciplinary Services
Tele-dentistry Oral Care for Seniors (T-DOCS)
Your Clinic Visit
Getting to NDCS
Getting Around NDCS
Arriving and Registering
Getting to NDCS Clinic@HPB
Your First Visit to NDCS
Collecting Your Medication
Follow Up and Discharge
Emergency Dental Services
Facilities Virtual Tour
Operating Hours
Consultation Charges
Bill Payment Options
Frequently Asked Questions on your visit to NDCS
Pre/Post Surgery
Preparing for Surgery
Observation and Going Home
Home Care After Gum Surgery
e-Services
Make/Change Appointment
Pay Your Bill Online
Request for Dental Report
Request for Dental Images
Regional Health Systems Network (RHS)
About NDCS Regional Health System (RHS)
Community Programmes & Services
CAPP Partners
Patient Resources
Research & Innovation
Back to Home
About NDRIS
Vision & Mission
Clinical Trials
SingHealth Research
Contact Us
Our Research
Singapore Oro-Facial Initiative (SOFI)
Singapore Oral Multiomics Initiative (SOMI)
Singapore Oral Population Health Initiative (SOPI)
GLOBICS
Our Achievements & Innovations
Grants
Publications
Our Research Team
Education & Training
Back to Home
Dental Professional Training
DO Advanced Practice Programme
Alumni
Calendar of Events
SingHealth Academy
Careers
Back to Home
Why Choose Us
Career Choices
Dentists
Nurses
Allied Health Professionals
Management and Administration
Ancillary and Support
Sponsorships and Scholarships
Job Opportunities
Giving
Back to Home
Why Give?
Get Involved
Your Gift At Work
Be Informed
Make a Gift
Home
>
Patient Care
>
Conditions and Treatment
>
Vaginismus
Facebook
WhatsApp
Email Us
share
Font Resize
A-
A
A+
Print
Vaginismus
Vaginismus - What it is
Vaginismus is a condition where there is involuntary tightness of the vagina during attempted intercourse. The tightness is actually caused by involuntary contractions of the muscles surrounding the vagina entrance and outer third of the vagina. Women are often not consciously squeezing the vagina muscles as it is an involuntary response.
Vaginismus - Symptoms
Burning, pain, or stinging occurs when an object such as the penis is attempting to enter the vagina canal due to involuntary contraction of the vagina muscles.
The severity of the condition varies in different women:
- Some are able to allow tampon or digital insertion but are not able to consummate the marriage.
- Other women are unable to tolerate any form of object entering the vagina at all.
The male partner may experience "something blocking" the entry of the penis and pain during attempted penetration. Over time, after repeated failed attempts at intercourse, this cou ld lead to premature ejaculation or inability to sustain an erection.
Types of Vaginismus
Primary Vaginismus
When a woman has never at any time been able to have pain-free intercourse due to this muscle spasm, her condition is known as primary vaginismus. Some women with primary vaginismus are unable to wear tampons and/ or undergo vagina examination. Many couples are unable to consummate their relationship due to primary vaginismus.
Secondary Vaginismus
Vaginismus can also develop later in life, even after many years of pleasurable intercourse. This type of condition, known as secondary vaginismus, can be precipitated by:
Medical conditions
Traumatic life events
Childbirth
Surgery
Life-changes (menopause)
Vaginismus - How to prevent?
Vaginismus - Causes and Risk Factors
The cause of vaginismus is not clearly known. It can be associated with:
Negative past sexual experiences or sexual abuse in the younger years of life.
Social upbringing, religious and cultural influences can affect views on masturbation and the sexual act which can give rise to anxiety and aversion to intimacy and sexuality.
Psychological factors include those such as the imagined fear of pain from something entering the vagina, tearing the hymen or that the penis is too big for the vagina.
Incidence
The incidence of vaginismus in Singaporean women is unknown but it is estimated that 1% of women seeking help for subfertility actually suffer from this condition. It is also estimated that for every woman who seeks help, tenfold suffer in silence.
Vaginismus - Diagnosis
Vaginismus - Treatments
Successful vaginismus treatment does not require drugs, surgery, hypnosis or any other complex invasive technique.
It would be advisable to see a doctor first to exclude medical conditions such as:
- Genital tract infections
- Anatomical genital tract anomalies such as a lack of vagina opening
First line measures such as education about the vagina structures, use of lubricants and ensuring adequate foreplay will be given.
If vaginismus still persists after medical issues have been addressed or if the patient does not respond to first line measures, intervention sessions with a Psychologist and/ or Physiotherapist can be considered.
A combination of the treatment approaches listed below may be used to optimise effectiveness:
Pelvic floor control exercises
Vagina insertion or dilation training
Pain elimination techniques
Transition steps
Exercises designed to help women identify, express and resolve any contributing emotional components through counselling and psychotherapy
Our healthcare providers will give an initial assessment with follow-up outpatient sessions. Between each treatment session, the woman will be encouraged to continue to work at her own pace in the privacy of her home.
Vaginismus is treatable
Vagina discomfort and penetration difficulties from vaginismus are treatable. With compliance to treatment, women experiencing difficulties with intercourse can overcome vaginismus and achieve pain-free, pleasurable intercourse.
Vaginismus - Preparing for surgery
Vaginismus - Post-surgery care
Vaginismus - Other Information
Overview
Article contributed by
Sexual Health Clinic
,
KK Women's and Children's Hospital
The information provided is not intended as medical advice.
Terms of use
. Information provided by
Our Breast Team
Filter:
By designation or sub-specialty
By Designation:
By Sub-Specialty:
TOP
[]
Related Conditions
Related Medicine
Healthy Living Tips
by
View more
Discover articles,videos, and guides afrom Singhealth's resources across the web. These information are collated, making healthy living much easier for everyone.
Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
Prostate Cancer Treatment How to Choose
×
SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the updates to your email inbox...
Find a Doctor
Conditions & Treatments
Home
Appointment
E-services