This is vaginismus and vulvitis 

This is vaginismus and vulvitis: Vaginismus is a name given to a condition where the pelvic floor muscles have been tensed up too much. The vaginal muscles can’t relax by themselves and inserting a finger, tampon or penis can be described as painful. You are experiencing issues with an overactive pelvic floor when you have vaginismus. The vagina is being pressed shut by those muscular tensions. The vaginal entrance is too tight and feels too narrow. There can be abrasions and friction when you insert something, which cause small injuries inside of the vagina. The blood flow decreases because of the tight pelvic floor muscles. The blood doesn’t properly flow to the vagina. This causes the vagina to remain too dry and stiff. 

 

This is vulvitis: Vulvitis means having an inflammation near or in your vagina. A vaginal inflammation can be caused by a fungal infection, but it can also be caused by an overly tense pelvic floor or an overly tight vagina. Vaginismus can be the cause of your vulvitis. 

 

If you’re looking for pelvic floor exercises or go to the exercises page. If you’re looking for products for your pelvis and go to the Pelvic Store. 

 

Looking for answers about vaginismus and vulvitis

 

If you’re trying to find a solution for your vaginismus on the internet, you’re met with a lot of information. However, it’s hard to determine if something is a fact, and the articles often aren’t all-inclusive. I had a lot of questions myself and I have gathered a lot of information for you, which I hope will answer your questions. 

 

This article is suitable for everyone experiencing vaginal pains during sex. However, the mentioned pelvic issues below are consisting pelvic issues which you don’t have to worry about if you experience them once in a blue moon, or if you’ve only had vaginal pain once. 

 

If you so happen to have experienced pelvic issues or vaginal pain during your first time, then you don’t have to worry, because that’s completely normal. If the vaginal pain doesn’t decrease and you are suspecting having vaginismus, then you can take further steps. Your pelvic floor is probably too tense, maybe you’re too nervous and then relaxation would be a good solution for your vaginal pain. 

 

Let’s go through a few concepts and situations to shape a clear image of your eventual vaginismus. 

 

What are the pelvic floor muscles? 

The pelvic floor consists out of a group of muscles in and around the pelvis. They’re primarily located at the bottom of the pelvic girdle and function as a type of hammock for your organs in the pelvis. Think of your bladder, uterus, prostate, vagina, penis, intestines and handy tubes like the urethra. There are entrances located in the pelvic floor muscles, because you need to be able to dispose your stools and urine. The entrances are your vagina, urethra and the anus. The pelvic floor muscles are able to close and open your bladder and intestines. It’s quite convenient to be able to hold something up, once in a while. When you tense up your pelvic floor muscles, your stools are being held back. When you relax your muscles you can lose your feces or urine comfortably, or also let a nice stinky fart slip underneath the covers. The pelvic floor muscles tense up subconsciously so you don’t have to consciously squeeze your buttocks together all day. 

 

Sex and the pelvic floor muscles

So I’m sure that you can understand that uncomfortable situations can occur when this large pelvic floor muscle group isn’t functioning as well as it should. You could get issues with urinating and pooping quick if the pelvic floor muscles are distorted. Disposing and keeping things up could become and issue. Sexual issues can occur as well. A pelvic floor that’s too tense can cause your vagina to close up. Inserting a finger, a penis or other objects can cause an abrasive sensation. This is a common issue with younger women, women that didn’t go through childbirth or elderly women. This has to do with the many events in and around the pelvis when women reach these ages or stages in life. You menstruate for the first time, or have sex for the first time, you give birth to your first child or you are entering the menopause. Those pelvic floor muscles are often too tense. We also call this ‘overactive’. 

 

Vaginal pain but no Vaginismus

There are a lot of women that experience pain during sex. However, this doesn’t immediately mean that it’s vaginismus. Being prepared and being relaxed can already help you massively. Get to know your body. Despite it sounding floaty and spiritual, learning how to relax is pretty crucial for your pelvic floor. Click here to go to my relaxation exercises for the pelvic floor. 

 

This is how you can prepare for sex 

There’s a lot when it comes to having enjoyable sex. The bottom half of your body already prepares itself for a suitable situation. The vagina and the pelvic area already work to the fullest when there’s arousal involved. Your blood flow in the vagina increases and this causes the vagina to be warm and softened up. Another nice thing, next to becoming warm and soft, is that the vagina also becomes wet. This prevents friction and abrasion. Something can slide easier into the vagina, this way. It will become an enjoyable experience for both parties. A vagina becomes wet, soft and warm when you feel comfortable. Relax and cooperate with your partner to create an ideal environment. Voice what you like and go on an extensive discovery before having sex. Know your pleasure and your vagina. Don’t cancel foreplay and take your time, especially when you’re already somewhat tensed up. A massage will help, for example. Help to relax each other. 

 

The increase of vaginal wetness is called lubrication. Lubrication is necessary for having enjoyable sex. You can also use lube, but natural lubrication is of course the best thing. Lubrication for a women is as important as an erection for a man. 

 

The most important words when it comes to sex: 

• Know how to relax your pelvic floor. 
• Take the time and don’t rush. 
• Know what you want and what you like. 
• Create a nice environment and a nice, warm atmosphere. 

Vaginal pain during sex 

It can still be the case that you still experience pain during sex despite the advices, and it isn’t too easy to find a solution when you have vaginismus. The pain in the vagina during penetration or having pain during sex is a common issue. There are several important causes to be mentioned. 

 

4 causes for vaginal pain during sex: 

1. A very tight or narrow vagina. Excessive muscular tensions in and around the vagina. The pelvic floor muscles can’t relax properly. 
2. Overactive pelvic floor muscles that can’t relax. 
3. Inflammations in or around the vaginal entrance. 
4. Pelvic floor tensions because of nerves, environment or eventual traumas. 

What is vaginismus? 

Vaginismus is a name we give to a vagina or pelvic floor that’s too tense. Vaginismus is an overactive pelvic floor condition. The vagina is being pressed shut by the overly tense pelvic floor. You may experience issues with inserting something into the vagina, whether that be a finger, tampon, penis and other objects. Let your fantasies run its course, but always keep safety in mind! The vaginal entrance is too tight and too narrow. Inserting something can cause abrasive and frictional sensations which can become pretty painful. The vagina becoming wet (the lubrication) can also be disrupted. The blood can’t flow properly to the vagina because of the tense pelvic floor. A decreased blood flow means having less wetness. 

 

This is vaginismus: You can speak of having vaginismus when you’re consistently experiencing issues with an overly tight vagina and when you can’t insert something into the vagina without experiencing pain. The tension in the vaginal muscles isn’t consciously present when you have vaginismus. You won’t know when you’re tensing up the pelvic floor. This is a subconscious tension. 

 

This subconscious pelvic floor tension won’t help you when you want to have an enjoyable sexual experience, whether it’s by yourself or with your partner. 

 

Symptoms of vaginismus 

5 symptoms of vaginismus:

1. A narrow or closed up vagina. Inserting a finger, tampon or penis is nearly impossible. 
2. Small injuries caused by friction in or around the vaginal entrance. 
3. An overactive pelvic floor. Urinating or pooping can be complicated. 
4. Increasing tension in the pelvic floor. 
5. The vagina is dry and has struggles with becoming wet. 

The blood flow is being halted when you have an overactive pelvic floor and vaginismus. Your vagina can feel dry and stiff to the touch. This can cause more tension around the vagina because pain causes tension to increase. Don’t force something when you’re struggling to insert something. Take more time and look for what works best for you. 

 

The solution for your vaginismus

5 solutions for vaginismus: 

1. Teach your pelvic floor how to relax by doing relaxation exercises. 
2. Make use of a dildo set with a variety of sizes. Inserting a consistently growing cone or dildo in combination with doing the relaxing pelvic floor exercises can help you. The set from Teazers is ideal for this. 
3. With your partner, look for ideal circumstances in the bedroom. Relax and start off with a massage. Make sure your room has the right temperature and enjoy each other. 
4. Use lubrication when you’re relaxed. Know what you like and know your own boundaries and limits. Never participate in something you don’t feel comfortable with. 
5. Have a talk with your doctor. They can refer you to a pelvic physical therapist, sexologist or gynecologist.  

You can think of a few solutions. The first solution is relaxation and validation from you and your partner. Accept that you have a tense pelvic floor and try to relax it, alone or together with your partner. Forcing yourself to have sex isn’t going to help you at all. Try to create a comfortable setting and let go of the previous intercourse session. Try to become properly turned on by telling your partner what you like and what you enjoy, then use your or your partner’s fingers. Make sure to first become comfortable with these touches and the pleasure. You can build it up slow, that way. Penetration is the last step and is only possible when you’re entirely relaxed, so you’re able to enjoy it. It will be a slow process. You will also be less wet because of the tight pelvic floor muscles. Build up the process in a slow manner and really take the time. Don’t push further with penetration when you’re uncomfortable. Pain is your body’s boundary. When you continue pushing with a tight vagina, you can cause damage and injuries. 

 

You can do relaxation exercises yourself. They are on my site. Try them out and you will notice the difference. You can also read my articles about enjoyable sex positions where you can easily take the control. This give you the control over the depth and speed of the penetration. 

 

Specialists for vaginismus 

A pelvic physical therapist or pelvic exercise therapist can help you learn how to take control over your pelvic floor muscles. Tensing up when you want and relaxing when you want. You will also learn how to painlessly insert something and you will receive a lot of exercises to do at home. You don’t have to immediately strip during those sessions. Apply the given exercises at home in a calm environment. Firstly do the exercises by yourself before you eventually do them with your partner. 

There are other specialists you can go to, but go to the doctor first. The doctor can refer you if necessary. Think of a gynecologist and/or a psychologist/sexologist. A suitable option for you to tackle down your issues.  

 

What is vulvitis? 

This is vulvitis: -itis always means an inflammation, the same counts for now. Vulvitis means having an inflammation in or around the vagina. A vaginal inflammation can be caused by a fungal infection, but it also could have been caused by an excessively tight pelvic floor or vagina. Vulvitis is often something that occurs after already having had vaginismus; an injury in or around the vagina could have started to be inflamed. 

 

Symptoms of vulvitis

6 possible symptoms of vulvitis: 

1. A stabbing pain near the vaginal entrance. 
2. Small injuries or tears in or around the vagina. 
3. The vaginal entrance being red. 
4. Whitey discharge. 
5. Inserting something into the vagina is nearly impossible without having pain. 
6. A throbbing sensation around the vaginal entrance. 

Vaginismus can become vulvitis 

Vaginismus can turn into vulvitis. Wrong sex techniques can also cause inflammations. You can experience a lot of friction in and around the vagina when you’re having sex in a specific way. The vagina can become irritated when the penis or another object isn’t properly inserted into the vagina. This can cause damages to the vagina, like small tears or injuries. The vaginal pain also causes more tension around the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor will be overly tensed up which makes inserting a tampon or a finger incredibly painful. 

 

The solution for getting rid of your vulvitis 

4 solutions for vulvitis: 

1. Try to relax the pelvic floor muscles by doing relaxation exercises. 
2. Give the pelvic floor and the vagina a break. Let the vagina recover and don’t force anything. 
3. Go to the doctor. They most likely have a good cream that will improve your recovery. 
4. Keep the vagina clean and owe a peaceful moment to yourself. 

1.  

Vulvitis often comes with a burning and poignant sensation. Rest and a prescribed cream will improve your recovery. Not just the doc, but a pelvic physical therapist or pelvic exercise therapist can also help you with your recovery from vaginismus or vulvitis. Contact one of those professionals. Sometimes they also cooperate to be able to fully help you. Sexual issues are often not only for a professional to fix. These are often complex requests. You will often come in contact with a gynecologist for physical issues, a psychologist or sexologist for your sexual feelings and thoughts, and a pelvic therapist to help you learn how to relax and how to deal with your pelvic muscles. 

 

The traps with vaginismus and vulvitis 

You think back about the previous time whenever you have sex. If the previous time wasn’t comfortable, you will be even more tensed than the last time. Even when you want to be relaxed, your body will be more tense. This causes the pain to be closer and you will be easily stuck in a cycle. A kind of pain cycle. 

 

Relaxation is your key word. Try to relax. First relax by yourself and then with your partner when you’re ready. Create an ideal situation and work on finding a solution. Never feel forced and only do something you truly want to do. 

 

And lastly, are you looking for more information? 

Hopefully this information was useful to you! If you’re still looking for some more information, feel free to take another look around on the website. It’s filled with in-depth information, tips a webshop and also exercises. I still have a lot of articles with lots of information about other symptoms and issues. Feel free to click on the blue words to take you straight to the right page.