Vaginismus

The two main types of vaginismus are primary and secondary.

Primary vaginismus is often discovered during the teenage years or early twenties during first attempts at using a tampon or engaging in sexual intercourse. Even gynecological examinations may be difficult for a person to undergo. During sex, a partner may describe the feeling as “hitting a wall” at the vaginal opening. A person may experience generalized muscle spasms, pain, and a burning sensation. The symptoms stop immediately when the attempt at vaginal entry stops.

Secondary vaginismus is often experienced after a period of normal sexual function without pain but then it becomes difficult or impossible. This is also known as "acquired vaginismus," and is often attributed to hormonal changes, childbirth, frequent infection (UTIs, STIs, pelvic inflammatory disease, and others), gynecological surgery or trauma, or a traumatic event.

Women who experience vaginismus may also experience fear, general anxiety, avoidance of certain activities including sex, and protective behaviors. These protective behaviors may include muscular guarding or clenching of the muscles in the pelvic floor, buttocks, hips, thighs, neck, chest, and shoulders.

Did you know that Botox® has been used to treat vaginismus since 1977? It is known that botulinum toxin, or “Botox®,” earned a reputation for its role in reducing facial lines. But the paralyzing effects known to smooth facial expressions can be just as helpful in addressing the painful and involuntary contractions of vaginismus as well.

Dr. Dima has been doing using Botox® to treat vaginismus since 2014 and has helped hundreds of women with this chronic, debilitating vaginal condition. If you suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction or spasms at the opening of the vagina, VagiTox™ (V-Tox™) may alleviate these symptoms.  It has been considered to be a “cure” for vaginismus. Typically, 200 units of Botox® is used and both a topical and/or local anesthetic is used.

One of the most practiced treatment options for vaginismus is the use of vaginal dilators, which can improve symptoms. However, these improvements are often temporary and are not enough to make a difference in pain during sex (dyspareunia). The best candidates for these treatments are patients who have tried both physical therapy and behavioral therapy without improvement of their symptoms. Dr. Dima Ali is proud to offer a breakthrough vaginismus treatment option that is reliable, life-changing for these women, in less than 20-minute outpatient procedure.

During the VagiTox™ (V-Tox™) treatment, Dr. Dima Ali will inject Botox® into the pelvic floor muscles and around the introitus (the opening of the vagina). We use a topical anesthetic for this procedure and patients rarely feel anything at all. The Botox® takes full effect after approximately 3 weeks and lasts 3 - 4 months. During that time, penetration during intercourse is comfortable, if not pain-free. Our patients tell us this procedure is “life changing.” This procedure can be combined with other intimate treatments, such as VagiNu™ (V-Nu™) and VagiTite™ (V-Tite™).