Scientists detect “Vaginismus”, a disorder that causes discomfort but is curable

Since 2013, the Society of Psychiatry considers a new classification of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the DCM5, in which the following were included: dysfunction of interest and excitement, dysfunction of orgasm and dysfunction of pain, in which dyspareunia stands out, as well known as vaginismus. This is a pathology that appears in the group of sexual dysfunctions, accounting for 10% of cases.


Elsa Gay, head of the Human Sexuality sector at the Gynecology Clinic of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculty of Medicine of USP, explains that “vaginismus is the difficulty of patients who have pain during sexual intercourse or when trying to penetrate. This fear or pain is often associated with emotional problems.” During the examination, what is sought is to verify a high tension of the pelvic floor muscles during the penetration attempt.

types
Vaginismus can be classified as primary, when it appears from sexual initiation, or acquired, when it is associated with an episode such as postpartum, endometriosis or pathology that caused trauma or discomfort in sexual function. The diagnosis seeks to rule out organic causes. Thus, during the examination, efforts are made to identify this muscle tension in any situation that requires vaginal penetration. This causes a lot of pain, discomfort and suffering.

Several questions are raised by gynecologists in search of an answer to the disease, which may have different factors, such as lack of information when starting sex life, physical or sexual abuse in childhood or adolescence, abandonment, some religious problem or other phobias. In the search for a treatment, the first point is to show that vaginismus is curable and, often, treating the emotional and physical problem can take some time.