Women may develop very tense pelvic floor muscles, so tight that they make medical examinations, tampons and intimate relationships difficult, painful or impossible. This situation can arise due to physical or emotional factors that cause her to carry tension in these muscles for extended periods –usually months or years at a time. Muscles that are always held tight get shorter and less able to stretch, so that vaginal penetration is physically impossible or too uncomfortable to even contemplate.
Physiotherapy can assist you in knowing how to release muscle tension in this area. Vaginismus is not usually purely a physical condition, so it is a good idea to involve a psychologist or counsellor too, where appropriate. This can be discussed further during a consultation.
Vaginismus is one of the many conditions that can be treated by a suitably trained Pelvic Health Physiotherapist.