Many women claim to have discomfort, burning and pain during the penetration of sexual intercourse. The cause of this discomfort is a condition called vaginismus, which is a spasm of the muscles surrounding the vagina. These spasms are unintentional and constrict or close off the vaginal opening. This involuntary muscle spasm causes sexual penetration to be very painful or impossible. This cannot only be very uncomfortable but embarrassing as well.
Dealing with these symptoms can be discouraging. Talking to a doctor about the way your body reacts to sex is uncomfortable, so many women try to deal with the problem on their own, but this can lead to more problems. Stress can build up before intercourse, because the woman is anticipating the pain and can cause the spasms to worsen. Essentially, as embarrassing as the problem may be to discuss, it is better to seek help for the problem.
Naturally, relationships often suffer with women who have vaginismus. The pain becomes so unnerving that the sexual relationship is minimal or non-existent, causing stress to both parties involved. Men often think that the woman is not attracted to them sexually or has no sexual desire but this is not true. The desire is present, but the spasms make the pain intolerable, therefore the woman is reluctant of penetration.
Treatments for vaginismus are centered around such things as vaginal expansion exercises, using vaginal probes, psychological visits to help with past trauma, or using vaginal dilators that increase in size as they become tolerable.
Botox injections normally used to treat wrinkles may hold the key to this painful problem. As of 2011, these Botox injections specifically for this use do not have FDA approval, but clinical trial testing has been very successful.
The treatment involves injecting a local anesthetic and Botox into the vaginal muscles at the opening of the vagina, allowing the muscles to relax. The next step is to use dilators covered with a local anesthetic for a few days to help stretch and exercise the vaginal muscles. Patients have reported that within 2 to 6 weeks of the Botox treatment, they are able to have comfortable sexual intercourse.
Botox has recently been approved other types of medical treatments including, neck and muscle spasms (Cervical dystonia), eyelid spasms (Blepharospasm), crossed eyes (Strabismus), and migraine headaches.
It is always best to do plenty of research and consult medical advice before deciding on this type of treatment, because there can be side effects to any procedure. Being well informed is the best way to handle any treatment method.
Olivia Smith is a health, fitness and relationship blogger.