I have found something interesting while working with vaginismus patients. Many of them are angry. Most of them don’t seem angry when they first come in. They seem sad, hopeless, confused, and afraid. I most often have the urge to put my arms around them and say “It’ll be okay. I promise you.” But oftentimes …
Continue ReadingJust Because You’re Over the Hump Doesn’t Mean the Hump is Over
Looking around at messages in the media, it appears that we live in an anti-aging society. The desire to look and feel young has translated into a billion dollar industry in numerous fields, with people vying to find the fountain of youth on the presumption that life is inherently more fun when you’re young. Among …
Continue ReadingComing Soon Live: Blogcast on Vaginismus
How do we combat an issue that nobody talks about? First step: We talk about it! Vaginismus is a condition where a woman can’t get a penis (finger, or tampon) into her vagina and is one of those issues that often lives in silence and shame. Around here, vaginismus is household term, but in society it’s …
Continue ReadingThe Vibrator and the Vaginismus Patient
Vibrators come in many shapes and sizes Vibrators for women come in many shapes and sizes. Many of our vaginismus patients have never seen or touched a vibrator, as it is very common for them to feel anxiety when thinking about using a vibrator for the first time. Most vibrators for women are designed to …
Continue ReadingPregnancy and Vaginismus
Women with un-treated vaginismus wonder if it is possible for them to get pregnant if they are unable to have intercourse. If they do get pregnant, they then wonder if natural childbirth will cure their pre-existing vaginismus by stretching the vaginal opening. The truth is that some women with primary vaginismus have been able to conceive …
Continue ReadingIs it Vulvodynia or Vaginismus?
When a woman goes to her doctor for sexual pain or the inability to have any form of penetration, they are often diagnosed with vulvodynia and not vaginismus. This is such an important subject that I would like to share with you some of the posts, as well as my responses, from our Vaginismus Forum on this topic. …
Continue ReadingThe GYN Exam: Fear of the Dreaded Speculum
GYN exams are an important part of a woman’s comprehensive health care. ALL women, regardless of their sexual orientation or their level of sexual activity, should have regular GYN exams. GYN exams allow women to maintain an up-to-date knowledge of their reproductive health, to become familiar with what is normal for their body and in …
Continue ReadingWhen vaginismus treatment fails after successful vaginismus treatment
During the many years I treated Vaginismus I have also supported a number of women who regressed after successful vaginismus treatment. The most common reasons are: Returning to a busy work program often coupled with failure to continue dilating Lack of sexual interest, low libido, lack of lubrication, anorgasmia (failure to achieve orgasm) Disgust with …
Continue ReadingLearn to Fly
There are some things in life that get old. Fashion trends. Slang terms. Pokemon. Cars. Textbooks. But one thing that never gets old is what it is like sitting with a woman who has just had pain-free intercourse after years of suffering from vaginismus. When patients with vaginismus first come here, many of them report …
Continue ReadingVaginismus? Maybe you meant veganism.
One of our specialties at Maze is treating vaginismus. Vaginismus is a condition where there is involuntary tightness of the vagina during attempted intercourse. Women do not control the tightness, and many do not even realize this tightness is causing the tightness and pain with penetration. Most patients have been to see several other medical professional …
Continue Reading