How can I develop it?
We don’t know exactly why vaginismus happens. In general, it is an acquired reflex, which is usually linked to anxiety and/or fear of having sex. But it’s not always clear which came first, vaginismus or anxiety.
Some women have vaginismus in all situations and with any object that enters the vagina, whether it’s a partner’s penis, a tampon, a vaginal suppository, or the gynecologist’s speculum. Others have vaginismus in some, but not all circumstances. Generally, sexual penetration and gynecological examination are the factors most related to vaginismus.
Some situations that can trigger vaginismus are:
- Having had a very painful first sexual relationship.
- Feeling that the vagina is too small for the partner’s penis.
- History of sexual abuse.
- Negative thoughts about sex.
- Afraid of getting pregnant
- Have other causes of dyspareunia (pain during sex).
Women with vaginismus tend to have a negative view of sexuality, in the case mainly of sexual relations before marriage. Also noteworthy is how often there is a repressive and guilty sexual and religious education, associating the idea of sexual relationship with sin, with rigid beliefs regarding what is right and wrong in life in general, and when it comes to sexual matters in particular.
Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction (increased tension and reduced muscle control) is also identified as a predisposing to the development of vaginismus.
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