It is common these days for a pregnant woman who is part of a couple to say “we’re pregnant”! Some people snicker and roll their eyes in response to this. True, her body is housing and will be laboring to have the baby, but “the couple” is having a baby. When a woman in a …
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I can’t tell you how often I hear that the Vaginismus Forum was a lifesaver for a patient. We created the Forum in order for women to connect to other women and find comfort, information and support along a journey that is often a long and difficult one. Despite the fact that nearly every vaginismus …
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Treating pain is a large part of our practice at Maze Women’s Health. What I have come to learn, especially from our vaginismus patients, is that to reduce pain we need to address the fear of pain. I recall a patient who barely spoke English but very clearly let me know that for her (and …
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Ever wonder who invented the speculum, the handy tool used during pelvic exams to help open the walls of the vagina? History tells us that something resembling a speculum was found during an archeological dig in Pompeii. However, in more modern history the first commonly used speculum appeared about 150 years ago and James Marion …
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People ask all the time about the difference between Vulvodynia and Vaginismus, so here’s a brief explanation: Vulvodynia is chronic unexplained pain in the vulva that lasts for over 3 months. The pain can be described as burning, stinging, rawness, or even itching. It can occur with intercourse, but frequently women will have pain with …
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After working with women with vaginismus for almost 15 years, I have learned how isolating and alone this condition can make one feel. Women struggle with this secret and it takes tremendous courage to reach out and seek treatment. I’d like to share a recent success story of a patient of mine who faced her …
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There are so many myths surrounding Vaginismus, let’s try and bust them! Myth 1: VAGINIMUS is all “in your head.” 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 pelvic floor muscles surrounding the vagina. Those muscles are in …
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The road to change is rarely a straight one. There are usually some bumps along the way. At Maze Women’s Health we treat many women with Vaginismus. It’s so rewarding to witness the success our women have as they go through the necessary dilation process. It may take years for someone to begin treatment and …
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I am not sure where the myth came from that it is normal or “okay” for sex to “hurt.” I am sure I could take stab at it from a feminist angle, but right now I am more concerned about dispelling the myth. Sex should be associated with positive physical and feelings. If you are …
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So much energy and frustration is given to not being able to have intercourse with vaginismus, that many forget that sex is not just intercourse. While being treated for vaginismus and wanting to be able to have intercourse is a very important part of sexuality, there is more to sex than intercourse. Often, when I …
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