Vaginismus and Pain during Sex

Many women consider pain during sex to be par for the course. Osteopaths take a different view, and may be of help with this painful and frustrating condition.

Vaginismus is an involuntary contraction of the (pelvic floor) muscles surrounding the vaginal opening, making penetration during sexual intercourse painful and/or impossible, and is estimated to affect 15-20% of the population.

The penetration can be related to sexual activity, inserting a tampon, or medical examination, and medical examination generally shows no structural damage or abnormality. 

Sufferers often report pain, distress, frustration and embarrassment, and can lead to relationship tension and breakdown. 

​While there may be increased stigma around symptoms in the pelvis and genitals, Osteopaths respectfully view these issues through the same lens as the rest of the body . So just as during a headache, your head and neck can become sensitised, contracted and reactive to otherwise normal stimuli, so can your pelvis. And just as a headache can be caused by physical injury, stress or poor movement patterns, so can your pelvic pain.



When working with vaginismus sufferers, I often find a combination of physical and emotional stressors, including;

• restriction through the joints of the pelvis and lower back, and pelvic floor
• asymetrical tension in the pelvic organs (uterus, ovaries, bladder etc) and their associated ligaments,
• Congestion and altered blood flow in and out of the pelvis
• Altered breathing patterns
• Hypersensitivity of the sacral and lumbar nerves
• Fear of penetration
• Negative sexual attitude / sexual shame
• Abuse or trauma history
• High life stress

To address these issues, Osteopathic treatment aims at finding ease and health within your body, allowing it's inherent healing response to resolve your issues, rather than challenging, poking and prodding painful and sensitised tissues.
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At Supporting Presence, treatment for Vaginismus is a three step process.

Step One
This is aimed at easing your current symptoms and pain relief. This involves releasing and balancing tensions in the lumbar spine, hips and pelvic floor, as well as finding balance within the nervous system.

Step Two
This involves finding the 'Root-Cause'.  
Your pelvic floor may be contracting involuntarily, but it is not random. Finding the reasons your body engages this protective response is an important part of the therapeutic process.

Often there is underlying tension held in the body which predisposes to problems with sexual health.
This can result from;
- surgery to the abdomen, pelvis or genitals
- falls on the tail bone
- physical or psychological injury and trauma.
- inefficient movement and breathing patterns

For people with vaginismus, these tensions are commonly found in the pelvis, abdomen, lumbar spine and sacrum, but can be anywhere in the body. Your Osteopath will help you identify this underlying tension and release it using gentle hands on techniques and advice.

Step Three
Having identified the predisposing factors (root-causes) of your vaginismus, your Osteopath will guide you to find ways to support yourself throughout the rest of your life, outside the treatment room. This can involve;
- Referal for counselling, and/or sex therapy
- Education on the anatomy of sexual response
- Relaxation and breathing techniques
- Stretching and movement practices


Different people move through these steps at different rates. Most individuals will gain some symptom relief from their initial session, while full recovery depends on a  range of factors including;

 - The nature and severity of the pain
 - Duration of symptoms and root-cause
-Your general health and individual predisposing factors
- Your willingness to take an active role in your recovery and health
 
To find out more or to make a booking, call
​0403 889 551

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