Vaginismus is when the vagina suddenly tightens up when you try to insert something into it. It can be painful and upsetting, but it can be treated. 

Vaginismus is more common in women and those with a vagina in their late teens to early 30s. 

Primary vaginismus: when vaginal penetration has never been achieved 

Secondary vaginismus: when vaginal penetration was once achieved, but is no longer possible, potentially due to factors such as gynaecologic surgery, trauma, or radiation 

Symptoms of vaginismus 

The main symptom of vaginismus is your vaginal muscles tightening up on their own when you try to put something in your vagina. This can cause a burning or stinging pain. 

It can happen when: 

  • you put a tampon into your vagina 

  • you try to have vaginal penetration during sex, including with a finger, sex toy or penis 

  • you have cervical screening (a smear test) 

  • something is put near your vagina (due to fear of penetration) 

Vaginismus is an automatic reaction, which you do not have control over. 

Occasionally, you can get vaginismus even if you have previously enjoyed painless penetrative sex. 

Vaginismus does not necessarily affect your ability to get aroused and enjoy other types of sexual contact. 

Causes of vaginismus

The reasons for vaginismus are not always clear. Some things thought to cause it include: 

  • anxiety or fears about having sex 

  • a painful sexual experience 

  • sexual assault or abuse 

  • an unpleasant medical examination or difficult experience giving birth 

  • believing sex is shameful or wrong 

  • a painful medical condition, like thrush 

When to see a doctor 

If you are experiencing painful sex, it's important to speak with your GP. Sex shouldn't be painful, and if it is, you may have vaginismus. 

If you see a GP about vaginismus, they will ask you about your symptoms and may ask to examine your vagina. 

You can ask to be seen by a female doctor, and you can bring someone you trust along for support. 

Before the examination, you can discuss ways to make it as comfortable as possible for you. 

The examination is usually very quick. Your doctor will take a quick look to rule out other conditions, like an infection. 

If your doctor thinks you have vaginismus, you may be referred to a specialist, such as a sex therapist. 

Treatments 

Psychosexual therapy: A type of talking therapy that aims to help you understand and change your feelings about your body and sex 

Relaxation techniques: Mindfulness, breathing and gentle touching exercises to help you learn to relax the vaginal muscles 

Pelvic floor exercises: Squeezing and releasing exercises to gain control of the vaginal muscles 

Sensate focus: Exercises to help with your relaxation during sex and increase your sex drive  

Vaginal trainers: Tampon-shaped objects in different sizes to help you gradually get used to having something put into your vagina 

Commonly asked questions:

'If I have vaginismus, does that mean sex will never be pleasurable again?' 

If you have vaginismus, it doesn’t mean that you’ll stop enjoying sexual activities altogether. Women and those with a vagina who have the condition can still feel and crave sexual pleasure and have orgasms. 

Many sexual activities don’t involve penetration, including: 

  • oral sex 

  • massage 

  • masturbation 

Commonly asked questions:

'If I have vaginismus, does that mean sex will never be pleasurable again?' 

If you have vaginismus, it doesn’t mean that you’ll stop enjoying sexual activities altogether. Women and those with a vagina who have the condition can still feel and crave sexual pleasure and have orgasms. 

Many sexual activities don’t involve penetration, including: 

  • oral sex 

  • massage 

  • masturbation