Vaginismus: Symptoms, Causes, and Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Have you ever felt like your body was working against you? Maybe you struggled with pain during intimacy, inserting tampons, or even at a routine pelvic exam. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone— and relief is simpler than you think. 

What you’re experiencing could be vaginismus.

It’s a condition that affects women’s health, often impacting their confidence, relationships, and even their ability to attend important medical appointments.

As a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist, I’ve had countless conversations with women who thought their pain wasn’t treatable.

That’s why in this post, you’ll understand what vaginismus is, its symptoms and causes, and how pelvic floor physiotherapy can help you take back your life. 

What is Vaginismus?

Image by Flo Health.

Vaginismus is a condition where your vaginal muscles tighten involuntarily. This tightening is automatic— it’s not something you’re consciously doing. And while your body may be trying to protect you, it can lead to a lot of discomfort and frustration. 

Research suggests that between 1% and 5% of women’s population experience vaginismus (but this is an estimate because many people are embarrassed to seek help). And this affects women at any age.

Signs and Symptoms of Vaginismus

• Pain during penetration (intercourse, tampon insertion, or exams) 
• A burning, stinging, or tight sensation in the vaginal area. 
• Involuntary muscle spasms when attempting penetration. 
• Fear or anxiety about penetration leading to avoidance. 
• Difficulty inserting tampons or menstrual cups. 
• Persistent inability to tolerate penetration of any kind.

What Does Having Vaginismus Feel Like?

For many women, vaginismus feels like hitting an invisible wall. Some describe a sharp or burning pain, while others say it’s as if their vaginal muscles are clamping shut. These sensations can be frightening, and isolating.

Why Does Vaginismus Happen?

You might be wondering, “Why is this happening to me?”. The truth is, there’s no single cause. Vaginismus is often caused by a combination of physical and emotional factors

Physical Causes

• Medical Conditions: Chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis, or vaginal infections. 
• Hormonal Changes: Postpartum recovery, menopause, or hormonal imbalances. 
• Surgical Scars: Scarring from gynecological surgeries can lead to muscle tension.

Emotional Causes 

• Past Trauma: Sexual abuse, physical violence, or other traumatic experiences causing deep-seated anxiety and stress. 
• Fear of Pain: Even anticipating discomfort can cause your muscles to tighten. 
• Cultural or Religious Beliefs: Strict or negative beliefs about sex may play a role.

Can Vaginismus Be Cured? 

The good news is, yes, vaginismus is treatable! Your pelvic floor muscles play a major role in this condition.

When these muscles are overly tight or overactive, they can create the very pain you’re trying to avoid. The key to healing lies in retraining these muscles—and that’s where pelvic floor physiotherapy comes in.

Treatment: Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

If you’ve never considered physiotherapy for something like this, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for vaginismus. 

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy or PFP, focuses on retraining and relaxing those overactive muscles, so they stop working against you. In short, pelvic floor physiotherapy can alleviate your discomfort and improve muscle function

How Does Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Work? 

At Stay Active Rehabilitation, our pelvic floor physiotherapy program involves: 

• Assessment: Thorough evaluation of your pelvic floor muscles function to identify areas of tension or weakness. 
• Manual Therapy: Gentle techniques to release tight muscles and improve flexibility.
• Biofeedback: Utilized technology to help you learn how to control and relax your pelvic floor muscles in real time. 
• Dilator Training: Gradual exercises to make penetration easier and more comfortable. 
• Education and Empowerment: You’ll also learn practical strategies to manage your symptoms at home, so you feel confident and in control of your healing.

Image by Pelvic Global.

The illustration above is what’s called Vaginal Dilators. This treats specific muscle groups that may be contributing to pelvic conditions such as vaginismus. This is used by a healthcare professional to effectively reduce your symptoms of pelvic disorder. 

Benefits of Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy 

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy (PFP) can help you find relief from pelvic floor dysfunctions like vaginismus while improving muscle strength and bladder or bowel control. By addressing these issues, PFP not only eases discomfort but also boosts your confidence. 

It’s a transformative step toward overcoming your pelvic floor challenges, offering a non-surgical, simple, and effective step toward better health, daily life, and even restoring relationships. 

If this sounds like something you’d want to try, it’s worth exploring with a professional. What do you think? 

Real Stories, Real Hope: Mara’s Journey

Let me share my patient’s story. When Mara first came to me, she was feeling hopeless. Like most women dealing with vaginismus, she felt like she’d tried everything, but nothing worked. 

Through Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy, together we worked on:

• Releasing tension in her pelvic floor muscles.
• Building her confidence using dilators and breathing techniques.
• Applying practical strategies she could use at home. 
• Helping her communicate openly with her partner.

The good news? Her journey was a success in the treatment plan. Today, Mara enjoys pain-free intimacy and feels like herself again. 

This story is meant to inspire you and tell you that If there’s a person who recovered from it, so can you. The possibilities are endless. 

Book Your Appointment at Stay Active Rehabilitation

At Stay Active Rehabilitation, we specialize in helping women like you overcome vaginismus with compassionate and expert pelvic floor physiotherapy. 

If you want to learn more about our Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy, visit us here.

Let’s work together to create a plan that fits your needs and puts you on the path to healing. 

Schedule your appointment today.

Because pain shouldn’t hold you back from living your life to the fullest. 

Conclusion

Here’s the recap of what’s covered: 

• Vaginismus is a treatable condition that affects many women at any age. 
• It can cause pain and difficulty with penetration.
• It can be caused by a mix of physical and emotional factors. 
• Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy is an effective treatment to regain control of your body without surgery. 
• Real stories prove that healing is possible. 

Here’s the bottom line: You don’t have to live with pain, fear, or shame. Relief is within reach, and you deserve to feel confident, comfortable, and in control of your body. 

So, what’s stopping you from taking that first step toward a pain-free life?