What is vaginismus?

Vaginismus is a condition, characterised by an automatic reaction to vaginal penetration. When penetration is attempted, vaginal muscles tighten and contract involuntarily. There are two main classifications of vaginismus; primary vaginismus occurs when vaginal penetration has never been achieved, and secondary vaginismus occurs when vaginal penetration has occurred but is no longer possible. 

Causes

There are many causes of vaginismus, from psychological to physical, or a combination of both.

Symptoms

Symptoms of vaginismus include but are not limited to discomfort and/or pain during vaginal penetration, painful intercourse, decreased sexual desire and vaginal muscle spasms.

Treatments

Vaginismus can become a source of great distress among individuals. In addition, it can make conception and the idea of giving birth very difficult. However, there is a wide range of treatments and solutions available to assist individuals and couples suffering from vaginismus, in order to help with conception and creating a family. Sex therapy, counselling, behavioural therapy, vaginal dilation, physical therapy, topical treatment, and surgical intervention are all examples of ways to improve symptoms of vaginismus.

In addition, there are several artificial reproductive techniques (ART) and fertility treatments recommended, including Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), alongside employing measures to alleviate discomfort, such as the use of transabdominal scanning, and conducting procedures under general anaesthetic where appropriate. Each of these options are example of the measures undertaken to ensure comfort and ease throughout the process of conception and treatment.

Self Insemination

Self insemination is a process of introducing sperm into the vagina with the aim that it will travel to the uterus and fertilise an egg.

WHEN CAN YOU SELF INSEMINATE ?

While vaginismus and sexual difficulty require persistent long term treatment. Sometimes age and time is a consideration when starting a family. 

If there are no other fertility issues Self insemination (SI) can be considered. SI can be preformed in the comfort of your home with minimal assistance. 

IF ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED 

Ovulation induction and/or cycle monitoring with doctor and nurse support is available at the clinic. 

Please discuss this option further with Dr Parmar at your next appointment. 

TEam

I am helped by the following experts.

Kassandra Mourikis (MSexol), Sexologist

Kassandra Mourikis (she/her) is a Melbourne-based sexologist. She has completed a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at Deakin University and a Master of Sexology at the Curtin University of Technology. She is a member of the Society of Australian Sexologists and follows their Code of Ethics and Practice.

Kassandra is a warm, compassionate, ethical, authentic and open-minded practitioner. She works from a non-pathologising, anti-oppressive and trauma-informed framework. Kassandra works to support the mind-body connection with person-centred talk therapy, somatic processing and accurate sexual education. Sex therapy sessions are a relaxed, informal, non-judgemental safer space to explore sexual pain, pleasure, desires, hopes and challenges.

Kassandra believes in supporting people through pleasure, knowledge, access to accurate and sex-positive resources and information, community support and structural change. A huge part of her work as a sexologist involves unlearning, reflecting and challenging her beliefs to provide inclusive and non-biased sexual support. She believes in the importance of acknowledging, advocating and extending her privileges as a white, cis woman to share her access to information and resources with others that don’t have the same level of privilege.

When Kassandra is not working, she enjoys getting out into nature. She loves to walk her two small dogs in the bush, enjoys being in the sun and spending time with her family. She loves tea and is an avid horror reader.

Jenny Pell & Kate Sindrey - Health 4 Women Physiotherapists

Jenny and Kate are dedicated, caring and highly qualified pelvic floor physiotherapists who are determined to ensure that every patient achieves their best result in the management and treatment of sexual dysfunction and pelvic pain.

Jenny and Kate use a collaborative approach and evidence-based techniques to address the musculoskeletal factors contributing to pelvic floor dysfunction. As part of the multidisciplinary team, their aim is to empower and enable each woman to achieve their ideal outcome by equipping them with useful tools and strategies to manage their individual symptoms. 

Both Jenny and Kate hold postgraduate qualifications from the University of Melbourne in pelvic floor rehabilitation and have worked in specialised multidisciplinary clinics in both the public and private sectors for over 10 years.

Contact us

If you are concerned about whether or not you may have vaginismus if you would like to discuss your options about pregnancy and conception with vaginismus or would like to make a plan to discuss your fertility and fertility journey, don’t wait, book your appointment to see me.