A Small Introduction
WHAT IS VAGINISMUS?
Vaginismus is a condition characterized by painful and uncontrollable contractions of the vaginal muscles. Women who suffer from this physical and psychological disorder may experience discomfort, burning, or pain during sexual intercourse, gynecological exams, or while inserting tampons. They may also experience anxiety that causes them to withdraw from these situations.
Imagine you have a chronic tight neck or shoulder muscle. This would cause pain, not only when you touch the muscle but also if you attempt to touch the surrounding areas. Vaginismus works in a similar way. Vaginismus is due to the involuntary tightening of the pelvic floor muscles, mainly the Pubococcygeus (PC) muscle group.
Most women may be unaware of vaginismus or that they may have extremely tight pelvic floor muscles leading to pain known as dyspareunia. Dyspareunia is persistent or recurrent genital pain that occurs before, during, or after intercourse. Some common causes could be inadequate lubrication, rough sex, trauma, or negative feelings about their partner. However, it is thought that anywhere from 5 – 15% of women who present with dyspareunia may have vaginismus. It also believed that vaginismus may be a primary cause of sexless and unconsummated marriages.
Since vaginismus is not commonly diagnosed, women seeking help from physicians have been told to just “relax” before having sex rather than addressing the root of the problem. This is why Dr. Schwartz developed a technique for targeting the pelvic floor muscles. Women from all over the world have undergone long-lasting vaginismus treatment by Dr. Schwartz. We help break the pain cycle for good.
%
Success Rate
%
Of Women Experience Vaginal Pain
HUNDREDS
Of Procedures Performed
Years of Experience
VAGINISMUS OVERALL
Vaginismus is typically due to a combination of physical and nonphysical stressors that elicit the body to anticipate pain.
EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL CAUSES OF VAGINISMUS
MEDICAL CONDITIONS
Urinary tract infections or urination problems, yeast infections, sexually transmitted disease, endometriosis, genital or pelvic tumors, cysts, cancer, vulvodynia, vestibulodynia, pelvic inflammatory disease, lichen planus, lichen sclerosis, eczema, psoriasis, vaginal prolapse, etc.
CHILDBIRTH
Pain from normal or difficult vaginal deliveries and complications, C-sections, miscarriages, etc.
AGE-RELATED CHANGES
Menopause and hormonal changes, vaginal dryness, inadequate lubrication, vaginal atrophy, etc.
TEMPORARY DISCOMFORT
Temporary pain or discomfort resulting from inadequate vaginal lubrication.
PELVIC TRAUMA
Pelvic surgery, difficult pelvic examination, or other pelvic trauma.
ABUSE
Physical attack, rape, sexual or physical abuse, or assault.
MEDICATIONS
Some prescription medications may cause pelvic pain.
EXAMPLES OF NON-PHYSICAL CAUSES OF VAGINISMUS
Fear or anticipation of intercourse pain, fear of not being completely physically healed after pelvic trauma, fear of tissue damage i.e. being torn, fear of getting pregnant, concern that a pelvic medical problem may occur, etc.
ANXIETY OR STRESS
General anxiety, performance pressures, previous unpleasant sexual experiences, negativity toward sex, guilt, emotional traumas, or other unhealthy sexual emotions.
PARTNER ISSUES
Abuse, emotional detachment, fear of commitment, distress, anxiety about being vulnerable, losing control, etc.
TRAUMATIC EVENTS
Past emotional or sexual abuse, the witness of violence or abuse, repressed memories.
CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES
Overly rigid parenting, unbalanced religious teaching i.e. sex is bad, exposure to shocking sexual imagery, inadequate sex education.
NO CAUSE
Vaginismus may be a diagnosis of exclusion where there may not be an identifiable cause, physical or non-physical.
CYCLE OF PAIN
1. The body anticipates pain
2. Involuntary pelvic muscle tightening
3. Painful sex or impossible penetration
4. Pain intensity reinforces the muscle tightening reflex
5. The body reacts by “bracing”
6. Avoiding intimate situations, which can lead to a lack of desire
Neuromodulators are used by Dr. Schwartz to break the pain cycle between anticipating pain and not being able to tighten the pelvic floor muscles. This allows for normal, pain-free sex, which decreases fears and anxieties over time.
SIGNATURE VAGINISMUS TREATMENT
Dr. Schwartz has developed a unique treatment plan for women showing symptoms of vaginismus. Our treatment requires injecting advanced neuromodulators into the pelvic floor muscles. This relaxes the area and breaks the pain cycle. Patients can continue to see their primary care doctors and other specialists as usual. Approximately ten days after the initial treatment, you can begin using dilators in conjunction with physical therapy. We’ve seen more than a 97% success rate with neuromodulator treatment. Most women who see Dr. Schwartz experience pain-free vaginal penetration after just one treatment.