If sex is characterized by a cramp-like and painful contraction of the muscles, then the following keyword applies here: Vaginal cramp or in technical jargon, vaginismus. Symptoms such as cramping of the pelvic and vaginal muscles can quickly turn a pleasurable sexual experience into a hell ride. Sexuality should actually be something beautiful and should not be accompanied by fear, pain and discomfort. But there is a ray of hope: vaginismus can not only be prevented, there are even Treatment options ! So today we're going to look at the treatment, but also the causes of vaginismus. At the end we want to address the myth of the "hymen", so stay tuned! 

If the vaginal muscles cramp during sex and cause pain, then it is not surprising that those affected wonder why these symptoms arise in the first place. The motto for vaginismus is quite clear: the psyche does it! The psyche can turn a lot of things in the body upside down and is also responsible for vaginal cramps. You may be surprised that this strong physical reaction of cramping is psychological in nature - but vaginismus is actually not related to inflammation or infection of the genitals. Rather, it is a defensive reaction that results from fear. Are you wondering what is meant by defensive reaction? If a person with a vagina is afraid of suffering injuries or pain from the penis during intercourse, for example, the vaginal and pelvic muscles can react reflexively to prevent exactly that from happening.

In addition to the fear of pain, there are also other worrying thoughts that people with vaginismus have. For example, those affected are afraid that they could become pregnant. But even existing mental illnesses such as depression or trauma can be considered causes of a vaginal cramp. Of course, the well-known final boss called stress also plays a role here - not only disruptive in other areas of life, but also during sex. The result of this can even be a vaginal cramp. If you have a lot of stress on your plate, you can also notice the effects of this on your menstrual cycle. Would you like to find out more about it? Then you will definitely not regret taking a look at here read our blog post about it.

Fears and worries are all well and good, but are these really the only causes of vaginismus? In short: No! Because sometimes it can simply be that you don't find your partner attractive or your relationship is going through a bit of a crisis. Or... penetration is just not your thing! During intercourse, the focus can quickly become on inserting the penis. But there is so much more to explore in terms of sexuality than just penetration. For people with a vulva, it can also be beneficial if the visible part of the clitoris more attention is paid to it during sex. This area is responsible for a lot of pleasure and orgasms. Since we are talking about orgasms: Would you like to know more about the difference between orgasms in people with vaginas and penises? We can satisfy your curiosity, because here you will be taken to our blog post, which will explain this topic to you. 

Is sexuality unthinkable for you because you suffer from vaginismus? Don't worry, because vaginismus can be treated!

With vaginismus, not only penetration by the penis can be a challenge, even a finger can be enough to trigger vaginal cramps and pain. Did you know that even inserting a tampon can cause symptoms such as cramps? As an alternative, we would therefore recommend our washable pads or Period panties These are also suitable for people with Endometriosis , because even with this disease the insertion of tampons etc. can cause pain.

Understandably, you would like to know what you can do if penetration into your vagina is not possible.There are various Treatment options that can help you to finally be free of vaginal cramps. It can often be helpful to combine several methods. We will now introduce you to some of these methods and you can have fun with them to find the right one for you. As we have already explained to you, stress can have a big impact on vaginismus. That is why sufficient relaxation is the most important thing now. Have you ever tried breathing exercises, for example? With this relaxation technique you can relax your muscles. You can also combine the breathing exercises with getting used to inserting something into your vagina without feeling any pain. So maybe try slowly approaching it with your finger. yoga is your thing? Great, because this can also lead to holistic relaxation and possibly help you to “overcome vaginismus”. Another helper can also  Pelvic floor training This self-controlled contraction of the muscles of the pelvic floor, but also of the vagina, means that you tense your muscles in a targeted manner and can then relax them again.

Preventing vaginismus

After hearing the causes of vaginismus, you are probably wondering if you can prevent it. YES, you can! At the top of the list is the connection with your own body. So how about turning your attention to your sexual organs and going on a journey of discovery of your body and your sexuality? In addition, the motto when it comes to vaginismus is “communication is key” So seek direct discussion with your partner if there are problems in your relationship. You can also confide in your gynecologist to talk about your fears and worries about sex and pregnancy. Speaking of gynecologists: Have you already read our blog post about red flags in gynecology? You can here to the blog post to be prepared for red flags in the future. 

“Is my vaginal opening blocked?” You may be asking yourself this very question if penetration is painful for you. Perhaps you have heard of the so-called Hymen which is also known as "Hymen" It is a thin mucous membrane that is characterized by many myths. For example, it is not mucous membrane that closes the vaginal entrance, but rather a ring of tissue. It is therefore not true that the hymen has to tear the first time, because the entrance to the vagina is usually not completely covered by it. However, it can be stretched a little during sex. But that does not apply to everyone. The hymen is therefore still there after the first sexual intercourse, it just changes in shape, for example.