Background: Vaginismus is one of the leading causes of painful sex (dyspareunia) for women. General practitioners (GPs) play a vital role in diagnosing and treating vaginismus, as well as coordinating a multidisciplinary team to support people with vaginismus.
Objective: The aim of this article is to summarise what is currently known about vaginismus, including its aetiology and contributing factors, how a diagnosis can be made, the implications of vaginismus on primary care clinical practice and the available treatment options for people with vaginismus. The article focuses on treating vaginismus exclusively, where other possible medical causes or comorbidities have been examined and excluded (eg vulvodynia).
Discussion: GPs play a vital role in helping people recover from vaginismus through validating people's experiences, making an accurate diagnosis and making referrals to other relevant health professionals. GPs can also offer a range of treatment options for people with vaginismus. While the management of vaginismus can be time-consuming and take some trial and error, multidisciplinary care with multimodal therapy often results in positive patient outcomes.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.31128/AJGP/06-23-6870 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Self-esteem, defense mechanisms, sexual satisfaction and stress coping mechanisms in individuals treated for vaginismus: A controlled study.
Afr J Reprod Health
November 2024
Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Turkey.
The aim of study was to analyze the extent to which treatment for vaginismus affect self-esteem, defense mechanisms, sexual satisfaction and coping with stress. Was conducted as aquasi-experimental, cross-sectional study. The population of the study consisted of womenwho were followed up with the diagnosis of vaginismus in obstetrics clinic.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObstetric outcomes in women with vulvodynia and vaginismus: a systematic review.
Arch Gynecol Obstet
December 2024
Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Community Studies, Jewish General Hospital, Pav H, Room 412, 3755 Côte Ste-Catherine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1E2, Canada.
Purpose: Vulvodynia and vaginismus are pain disorders associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The few published studies addressing this topic were limited in terms of the different outcomes studied; hence, the purpose of our study was to perform the first systematic review examining maternal, neonatal and obstetric outcomes in patients with vulvodynia and/or vaginismus (VV).
Methods: We conducted a systematic review searching PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and SCOPUS until November 2023 for observational studies reporting maternal and/or neonatal outcomes of VV in pregnancy.
Effectiveness of Biofeedback with Dilator Therapy for Sexual Function in Women with Primary Vaginismus: Randomized Controlled Trial Study.
Int Urogynecol J
December 2024
Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran.
Introduction And Hypothesis: Vaginismus is characterized by the involuntary spasm of the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) around the outer third of the vagina, leading to difficulties in vaginal penetration. Physical therapists often use biofeedback to help individuals to gain better control over their muscles. This study was aimed at assessing the impact of biofeedback with dilator therapy on sexual function in women with primary vaginismus.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGenito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder is a relatively new term encompassing both dyspareunia (recurrent pain with intercourse) and vaginismus (involuntary contraction of the pelvic floor with attempted penetration). Symptoms are often multifactorial. Thus, a detailed history and sensitive patient-centered examination are essential to identify and treat the underlying cause(s).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPelvic floor muscle activation amplitude at rest, during voluntary contraction, and during Valsalva maneuver-a comparison between those with and without provoked vestibulodynia.
J Sex Med
December 2024
School of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada.
Background: The neuromuscular contribution to increased tone of the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) observed among those with provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is unclear.
Aim: To determine if PFM activity differs between those with provoked PVD and pain free controls, and if the extent of PFM activation at rest or during activities is associated with pain sensitivity at the vulvar vestibule, psychological, and/or psychosexual outcomes.
Methods: This observational case-control study included forty-two volunteers with PVD and 43 controls with no history of vulvar pain.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!