Why Traditional Treatments for Vaginismus Often Fail
As a sexological bodyworker specializing in pelvic pain and vaginismus, I have seen many clients who arrive at my practice feeling disillusioned by traditional medical treatments. Time and again, they share stories of treatments that have not only failed to alleviate their symptoms but sometimes have exacerbated their condition. Here’s why many traditional approaches to vaginismus often fall short and how a more holistic, integrative method can lead to better outcomes.
The Limitations of Conventional Vaginismus Treatments
Traditional medical treatments for vaginismus typically focus on the physical symptoms. Common approaches include:
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: While often beneficial, this therapy can be overly focused on strengthening and relaxing pelvic muscles without addressing underlying emotional triggers.
Dilators: Used to gradually stretch the vaginal muscles, dilators can help some women but may feel invasive or mechanical to others, potentially increasing anxiety and resistance.
Numbing Creams and Pain Relievers: These can offer temporary relief but do not address the root causes of vaginismus, leading to a cycle of dependency without real progress.
These methods, while effective for some, often overlook the crucial emotional and psychological components of vaginismus. They treat the body as a problem to be fixed rather than a complex system influenced by a spectrum of factors.
The Importance of Addressing Emotional and Psychological Factors
Vaginismus is not just about tight muscles; it's often a protective response by the body to past trauma, anxiety, or fear related to sexual intercourse. The emotional and psychological aspects are as critical as the physical ones, and failing to address these can hinder healing.
In my practice, I approach vaginismus with a holistic perspective that includes:
Trauma-Informed Care: Recognizing and treating the impact of sexual or emotional trauma that may be contributing to the muscle spasms.
Mindfulness and Body Awareness: Helping clients become more aware of their body's responses and teaching them how to manage anxiety and fear that triggers muscle tightness.
Emotional Release Techniques: Facilitating methods that allow emotional expression, which can often lead to breakthroughs in physical symptoms.
A More Effective, Compassionate Approach
Let me share an example of this holistic approach in action. Emily came to my practice after years of unsuccessful treatments with dilators and numbing creams. Through our sessions, we explored not just her physical symptoms but also her feelings about her body and intimacy. It turned out that Emily had unresolved fears stemming from early sexual experiences that were contributing to her vaginismus.
Together, we worked on techniques that helped Emily process these fears and learn to experience physical intimacy without pain. We used guided visualizations, somatic experiencing, and gentle, non-invasive bodywork that allowed her to reclaim her sense of safety and pleasure.
a new way forward
Traditional treatments often fail because they are incomplete. They might manage symptoms temporarily but typically do not get to the heart of what causes conditions like vaginismus. A holistic approach that respects the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit not only addresses the immediate symptoms but also works towards long-term healing and wellbeing.
For those struggling with vaginismus, finding a practitioner who understands and incorporates these holistic principles can be the key to not just managing but truly overcoming this condition. In sexological bodywork, we don’t just treat symptoms; we nurture the whole person towards a deeper, more joyful engagement with their own bodies and intimate relationships.
