Care
Vaginal Dilators: Important facts you need to know
When it comes to vaginal dilators, they have two main purposes - one is they help the vagina get used to having something inside of it, and the other is they help erase the muscle memory that keeps your pelvic floor in a protection mode. Even if the size of your vagina is normal, you need to know that painful sex starts a pain cycle, which can cause a fear of penetration that results in contracting the vagina when trying to have intercourse. The dilators are a safe option to help eliminate the initial cause of pain, but bear in mind to use the smaller one and then increase up slowly. You want to end up using a dilator close to the penis size of your partner if you are sexually active. The vaginal tissues and the pelvic floor muscles start learning to hold something inside without leading to the surplus pain responses. It is a great way to make your deeper pelvic muscles relax as well, and when you have sex with an actual person, your pelvic muscles will relax as well. A vaginal dilator is also a way you can use to gently and gradually stretch tissues that are tighter and not elastic enough - it is often the case when a woman has vaginal dryness and thinning due to hormonal changes (post menopause or chemotherapy). This can arise due to skin conditions or when a vagina tissues have been affected by radiation or surgery as well. The reduction in size of the vaginal opening can always reversible, and an essential advantage of using a dilator is that you will know if you are prepared for intercourse. 10 ways VuVa Magnetic Dilators can help: When used appropriately, potential benefits of VuVa Magnetic Vaginal Dilator therapy can include: Improved physical comfort with sexual intercourse after pelvic floor surgery with scarring and narrowing and/or shortening of the vagina. Allowing pain free sexual penetration by training pelvic floor muscle relaxation. Reducing pelvic floor muscle tension or spasm with vaginismus Overcoming fear of vaginal penetration buy using dilators on a regular basis. Prevention of adhesions/fibrosis from forming during and after pelvic radiotherapy Allowing for easier use of tampons. Facilitating ease of gynecological examination. Creating natural energy to the painful area for nerve pain reduction. Helping with natural lubrication and vaginal dryness by creating blood flow to the area. Relaxing muscles immediately before intercourse to allow easy penetration by your partner. Vaginismus And Depression: The Real Deal When you notice the symptoms of vaginal muscle tightening, penetration restrictions, or vaginismus, it may leave you a little bit confused regarding your body. It can make you question yourself why it is so hard for you, and it can maker you worry and feel uncomfortable when people talk about sex around you. Doubt - When it is certain that there is something wrong - due to the patterns of being unable to have continued sex, they start doubting themselves. It is not just in the context of their physical health, but it also greatly impacts their overall mental health. Fear - In the case of vaginismus, fear is multi-pronged, and while it all starts with the fear of intercourse, the other fear also arises for failure. It further leads to the fear of relationships going down the drain and being unable to do anything about the pain - the fear only compounds with time while making the problem even more complex. Guide - The prospect of not being a "sexually adequate partner" consumes many women when they have vaginismus, especially when it is happening continuously. As a result, women start to take responsibility for everything going wrong in their relationships, and inside their minds, they start thinking that maybe it is due to the lack of sex that is causing relationship issues. When sex hurts, you can find a way out. We know that many of our readers benefit from using vaginal dilators, since they can help you to work with physical causes and prepare you for sex when the cause is psychological. Our site has so much information designed to help you, but you should also feel free to contact us if you think we can help with anything. This article was posted by VuVatech. VuVatech has their own line of Magnetic and Vaginal Dilators for Pelvic Pain. Learn more here: Vuvatech.com/pages/how-vuva-vaginal-dilators-work Do you need to order vaginal dilators so you can start your pelvic floor therapy process? Made in the USA. Visit www.vuvatech.com VuVa Helpful Links: How do Neodymium Vaginal Dilators work? 7 Reasons for a Tight Vagina and How to Loosen How to use Vaginal Dilators How to Relax Vaginal Muscles, Vaginismus & Sex Vaginal Stretching - Keeping in Shape with Dilators Do Dilators Really Work? Yes, and They can Improve Your Sex Life! Shop for VuVa Vaginal Dilators Tara Langdale Schmidt is the inventor of the VuVa Dilator Company. She has pelvic floor dysfunction herself and wanted to create a dilator set that is made in America that women can trust. VuVatech has been in business since 2014 and has helped over 50,000 women all over the globe. She patented the Neodymium Vaginal Dilator, that is clinically proven to help with blood flow and nerve pain. Podcast Episode 22: Tara Langdale-Schmidt What’s on Your Vagenda? Click here
Learn more
Vaginal Dilators are Essential, Doc Says.
Written by Dr. Elizabeth Prusak Dilators are “Essential” Vaginal dilators are an essential and beneficial medical treatment for patients who experience pelvic pain and anxiety in response to vaginal penetration. Vaginal dilators, also known as vaginal trainers or spacers are designed to gently and gradually restore and expand the tissue and muscles of the vaginal opening. Combined with the use of pelvic floor physical therapy, behavioral health therapy, correction of underlying medical issues, and some dedication and persistence on the patient’s and provider’s part, this simple tool can increase a patient's quality of life in the area of sexual intercourse and during the routine gynecological office speculum exam. Vaginal dilators are also part of the postoperative care of male to female transgender patients after their surgery to maintain a neovagina. What is a Dilator? Vaginal dilators are non sterile cylindrical medical devices that sequentially increase in diameter and/or length. They are placed inside the vagina in a gentle manner by a trained medical professional and then, after some training, by the patient to help expand the vaginal tissues that may be contracted and tight. Dilators are prescribed to patients by a wide array of medical professionals including OB/GYN physicians, physical therapists, counselors, and pain specialists. They have been in use for over 75 years in the medical field and have a long track record of success if used properly. Vaginal dilators are very unique in that they have the ability to treat the patient both psychologically and physically. How Do They Help? Dedicated usage reconditions and facilitates an adaptive body/brain connection to stop anticipatory anxiety and pelvic discomfort and pain that is often experienced by patients from a psychological standpoint. Dilator introduction and progression also treats the physical vulvar region and retrains pelvic floor muscles. Over time the muscles are stretched gently by the dilators. What Conditions Can Dilators Treat? Patients who suffer from several categories of medical conditions greatly benefit from the use of vaginal dilators. Three categories of patients encompass the clinical scenarios where vaginal dilator usage would be valuable. It is important to address underlying medical issues and be sure they are being treated first before attempting vaginal dilator usage. 1. Change in Pelvic Floor Anatomy The first category encompasses patients with conditions that have created a change in the normal pelvic anatomy. This includes postoperative patients after a hysterectomy, gender reassignment surgery, or a prolapse repair. Another type would be an alteration due to a cancer therapy, such as radiation. Also included in this group are genetic conditions where either no vagina or a rudimentary vagina is present at birth such as Mullerian agenesis or Mayer Rokitansky Kuster Hauser (MRKH) Syndrome. This group is amongst the more straightforward to treat, because the cause of the vaginal penetration is usually a purely anatomical issue, with less of an emphasis on the psychological area. 2. Problems with Penetration The second category are patients who have never been able to insert anything into the vagina- a tampon, a speculum, nor any sexual activity with penetration. These patients can have the desire to allow penetration, but even after multiple attempts they cannot. These also can include patients with a strong negative psychological history associated with vaginal penetration, such as those who have been raped or abused in the past. This condition is known as vaginismus and is best treated with vaginal dilators combined with regular behavioral health sessions. This group of patients is very difficult to treat and usually requires a longer time period of dilator usage and training before they achieve success. Frequent behavioral therapy sessions are key to treating these patients. 3. Pelvic Pain Conditions The third category of patients are ones who have a medical condition that causes painful or restricted vaginal penetration. This encompasses vaginal atrophy during menopause, vulvodynia, vulvar vestibulitis, interstitial cystitis, painful bladder syndrome, endometriosis, pelvic pain after childbirth from episiotomy or perineal tears, lichen sclerosus, chronic vaginal infections, and tumors that create a mass effect such as ovarian cysts, colon tumors and bladder cysts. Ensuring that these patient’s medical conditions are optimized and treated is very beneficial in the success for these patients. How to Talk About Dilator Use Approaching the topic of starting to use vaginal dilators with a patient is never easy, but it is usually up to the provider to initiate this discussion, because typically a patient's fear or embarrassment about the subject of unsuccessful vaginal penetration or pain is heightened even more during the office visit. 1. Creating a comfortable environment Reassuring the patient that their problem is very common and trying to put them at ease is the first step. Patients will encounter a wide array of emotions during this visit and it might take a few visits before even attempting to use dilators in the office. Showing patients the dilators and how to use them in the office is a key step, followed by co management with a pelvic floor physical therapist, behavioral health therapy, and treatment of any underlying medical conditions. 2. Longer appointment times and frequency Ensuring that the visit is allotted proper time for this type of patient is very important, so neither the provider nor the patient feels rushed. Many healthcare providers do not address vaginal dilator use at the office visit and barriers such as lack of knowledge, reimbursement issues, physician and patient embarrassment, poor communication, and lack of time are ranked as the top reasons for such problems going unaddressed. Even with a motivated patient and provider, vaginal dilator compliance remains low, so making subsequent visits at close time intervals is helpful and education is key. 3. Seek out a NAMS certified Physical Therapist Typically providers receive special training and have a special interest in treating patients with vaginal penetration issues and training with vaginal dilators, and these would be the providers most sought out by and recommended to patients with these issues. The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) offers a certification for providers with this special interest, and their website has a list of certified providers. This is a good starting point for patients to look for a provider, although choosing a provider for this type of treatment is a very personal decision, and many patients have to see multiple providers before committing to one for treatment. How Do Medical Vaginal Dilator Sessions Work? A first session with vaginal dilators would entail an education session with the patient: explaining the uses of dilators and how they can help with the patient's medical condition and issues of vaginal penetration. Showing them the various sizes of dilators and explaining with simple easily understood words and language that the patient can understand should be done. Instructing the patient that they will be in a lying down position and using the dilators with lubricant or lidocaine ointment for any pain relief is the first step. Once the patient feels comfortable and wants to start and is properly positioned, the physician first inserts in the smallest dilator into the vaginal opening and allows the patient to relax around the dilator if possible, and leaves the dilator inside the vagina for 15-30 seconds before repeating and moving onto the next dilator size up. This is done in the office until the patient feels even the smallest discomfort with the largest size of dilator. The patient is instructed that different companies sell dilators and the provider recommends a set for him/her to obtain before leaving the office. For home use, the recommendation is three times a week for fifteen minutes per day being a typical goal for patients to strive to use their dilators. Then moving up from there. Patients should be instructed to write down their progress and which dilator number they are able to achieve on a weekly basis. Activities such as deep breathing and relaxation techniques can be used during dilator therapy. Scheduling and attending cognitive behavioral therapy along with this is very helpful. A follow up phone call to the patient within a week giving words of encouragement is beneficial to maintaining continuance of usage. The next follow up appointment should be within a month’s time. A good “bonus plan” for the patient also can be to recommend dilator usage prior to coitus to help relax the patient after he/she becomes more comfortable with the use of dilators. Patients should be reassured that this is a long term solution to their issue of vaginal penetration and that fast results are not going to happen, and that this is normal to achieve success slowly. It is also important to tell patients that use of vaginal dilators will need to be continued even after the patient achieves initial success, although a more infrequent basis is prudent after this. Final Word on Dilators Vaginal dilator therapy is an important part of treatment for sexual pain and vaginal penetration issues. Education and reassurance of both physicians and patients is key to a successful journey to treat this issue. Vaginal dilator therapy requires long term patience and goal setting, but it is a safe and effective therapy and is very much underutilized in the medical community. Seeking out providers who have a special interest and education in treating these issues is key for the patient to have a successful treatment. Dr. Elizabeth Prusak is a board certified OB/Gyn physician and sexual health specialist, ABOG board instructor, and medical writer who has devoted herself to helping and empowering women and transgender patients. She has spoken at several national conferences, educating other physicians on how to better approach patients with the difficult topics of menopause and sexual health. She takes a holistic approach to gynecology and emphasizes the value of a total mind and body approach to care. She has over 15 years experience with the use of vaginal dilators and pelvic floor physical therapy helping patients.
Learn more
How to Overcome Fear of Physical Intimacy
Fear of physical intimacy can cause havoc in a woman’s life. It has a detrimental impact on her self-esteem and her romantic relationships, and if not dealt with, it can become a serious problem that hampers the quality of her life. Fear of sex (genophobia) is actually quite a common thing, but it can be overcome. Overcoming fear of physical intimacy may require more than one form of treatment, and this could be psychological or physical in nature depending on the root of the issue. Our recent article on the root causes of fear of sex and physical intimacy addresses some of the most common reasons for this issue. This article will take a look at what you can do to overcome fear of physical intimacy. How to overcome fear of physical intimacy Firstly it is necessary to determine whether your fear of intimacy stems from a physical or psychological issue. Fear of physical intimacy generally does have psychological origins, however for some women this results in a physical manifestation that can worsen the fears of intimacy. Let’s take a look at the most common causes of fear of intimacy and how to address them: Physical causes Physical conditions can lead to fear of sexual intimacy because of the pain or embarrassment they cause. For example, if you have vaginismus you are dealing with a physical issue, but the condition itself is likely to have psychological origins. In this case you may need a combination of counseling or sexual therapy and some form of physical therapy to help manage the physical symptoms. Lots of women have success with vaginal dilators, which allow them to practice penetration in the privacy of their home, in their own time. Eventually fear of penetration is likely to subside. Dilators can also help train your mind to release the anxiety you feel around intimacy. If you have vulvodynia, you’re going to experience painful sex (dyspareunia), which tends to lead to fear of physical intimacy because sex becomes associated with pain. Vulvodynia is unlikely to have psychological causes, and will need to be treated with the help of an experienced practitioner. Typical vulvodynia treatments include pelvic floor therapy, natural self-care techniques, medications and vaginal dilators. As is the case with vaginismus, vaginal dilators can help your vagina get used to the feeling of penetration. Psychological causes If your fear of physical intimacy stems from a history of sexual abuse, poor self image or performance anxiety, a professional counselor of some kind will be best equipped to help you overcome your negative associations with sex, or self esteem issues. Psychotherapy comes in many forms, and the treatment required is unique to each person, but long-term therapy is generally beneficial in managing fear of intimacy. The most common types of psychological therapy are: CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Somatic Experiencing (SE) Other traditional psychotherapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) It may be necessary to have a consultation with more than one type of therapist to see if they are right for you. For example, a CBT therapist might introduce different ways of thinking or techniques to help you overcome triggers, whereas a sexual therapist might address your feelings and teach you strategies for reframing sexual activity. A counselor might be able to help you work through the underlying issues that caused your negative self-perception or performance anxiety. If you think you may have a vaginal pain condition or you get severe phobic reactions to sexual intimacy, a proper diagnosis is important. Your doctor should be able to provide you with some helpful resources and where necessary, give you a referral to the right type of therapists for your problems. Overcoming fear of physical intimacy can sometimes be a long road, but it is certainly worth the effort. Make the commitment and you will get there! VuVa Helpful Links: 7 Reasons for a Tight Vagina and How to Loosen How to use Vaginal Dilators How to Relax Vaginal Muscles, Vaginismus & Sex Vaginal Stretching - Keeping in Shape with Dilators Do Dilators Really Work? Yes, and They can Improve Your Sex Life! Shop for VuVa Vaginal Dilators
Learn more
How Do You Diagnose Vaginismus?
Why is it hard to diagnose vaginismus? Vaginismus is generally summarized as the persistent or recurring difficulty a women experiences in allowing penetration of any kind, whether that is a finger, penis, tampon or gynecological examination tool. This difficulty occurs regardless of a woman’s desire to allow penetration, which may seem totally out of sync with her ability to do so. On paper, it may not sound too difficult to diagnose vaginismus, but it actually can be. It is still necessary to look into the issue in detail in case there are underlying or concurrent conditions that may also need to be overcome. Women with vaginismus are often immersed in a cycle of fear and avoidance around penetration, since their resistance to penetration usually leads to some degree of physical pain. The pain occurs because of involuntary contractions of the vaginal muscles, which vaginismus sufferers will have little to no control over. At best, they will experience fear and resistance, and at worst, pain too. The reason it is sometimes difficult to diagnose vaginismus is that some have what is called partial vaginismus. Total vaginismus is more obvious because women with this can’t tolerate any kind of penetration, at any time. With partial vaginismus, the fear and involuntary muscle spasms can be related to specific situations, people, or other variants, and these variants can be changeable. Women with partial vaginismus can sometimes tolerate penetration to some extent, albeit with difficulty. For some women the condition is lifelong (known as primary), and for others it can happen later in life (known as secondary). There may also be other elements involved, such as a hypertonic pelvic floor. Likewise, other conditions may overlap; for example, vestibulodynia or dyspareunia. For all of these reasons vaginismus is considered to be a clinical syndrome rather than a definitive diagnosis. How will your practitioner diagnose vaginismus? To diagnose vaginismus, your healthcare practitioner is likely to go over your entire psychosexual history. Your practitioner is also likely to ask personal questions about your medical history, your symptoms, your typical reactions to penetration, your anxiety levels and fears, and your current sexual relationship/partnership. It is likely that you will need a physical examination to properly diagnose vaginismus. Your practitioner will assess your levels of distress, anxiety, and mental or emotional resistance to penetration, which is actually considered to be more important in the diagnosis than physical spasms, muscle tone or the presence of pain. The physical examination of your genitals and pelvic area is necessary also for exclusion of other issues, dysfunctions, injuries or infections that could be presenting similar symptoms to vaginismus - or actually causing it. What to do when you have a vaginismus diagnosis Your practitioner will determine whether the cause is psychological, in which case you may be referred for psychological treatment for vaginismus. If the cause is determined to be physical, you may be referred to a pelvic floor physical therapist, a sex therapist or a gynecologist. It could be that the cause is multifaceted, so you may need to see more than one type of specialist. Finally, vaginal dilators are one of the most common methods of treating vaginismus, whether inside the treatment room or at home in your own time. We have heard more success stories with dilators than we could possibly recount, but we highly recommend them as a treatment if your Doctor does diagnose vaginismus. We hope you found this article informative, and don’t forget to check out our blog for more vaginismus articles. VuVa Helpful Links: 7 Reasons for a Tight Vagina and How to Loosen How to use Vaginal Dilators How to Relax Vaginal Muscles, Vaginismus & Sex Vaginal Stretching - Keeping in Shape with Dilators Do Dilators Really Work? Yes, and They can Improve Your Sex Life! Shop for VuVa Vaginal Dilators
Learn more
Erotophobia Causes, Treatments & Overcoming
Definition of Erotophobia The definition of erotophobia is the fear of any sexual intimacy. It encompasses a wide range of specific phobias that cause intense fear of sex and sexual dysfunction. Erotophobia is a complex issue that may cause sufferers to experience more than one kind of sexual anxiety. If left untreated, the negative emotions cause untold damage to relationships and mental health. The person may isolate themselves and avoid any intimate contact with possible love connections, close friends, and family. Types of Erotophobia Erotophobia varies in type and intensity. For some, it's a simple dislike, and for others, the negative associations cause extreme panic when sexual intimacy is attempted. Genophobia or coitophobia: It's the fear of sexual intercourse. The fear of sex is irrational and causes avoidance of intimate relationships. The person may be romantically involved but avoids sexual activities at any cost. Fear of intimacy: One phobia related to genophobia is the fear of intimacy. For those fearful of sexual intimacy, it may include any affection from holding hands to kissing. Even people even thinking about sexual images or the thought of sex brings up deep-rooted fear. Haphephobia: For those with this phobia, it involves the fear of touch. The sufferer doesn't like touch at all and recoils from any physical affection. For men, this may cause erectile dysfunction (ED). Gynophobia: It involves being afraid of being naked. The condition may cause deep body shame, fear of seeing others, and themselves naked. Causes of erotophobia The variance in the phobias connected to erotophobia makes it more difficult to pinpoint a purpose. In some circumstances, the reason for the intense fear or panic can't be identified. Past sexual abuse Sexual abuse can happen at any age. It's any sexual contact that isn't consensual. In the United States, roughly 1 in 10 girls are sexually abused before the age of 18. (1) Sexual abuse victims carry life-long issues that may cause intense sexual dysfunction. Most of the time, victims knew their sexual abusers before the abuse began, making the damage even harder to overcome. The negative impacts may include the following: A deep-seated fear of sexual intimacy Distrustful of people Addictions Depression Suicidal thoughts Fear and anxiety Angry outbursts Generalized anxiety disorder One condition that can cause erotophobia is a generalized anxiety disorder. This condition makes you worry about everything in your life, from waking up on time to your sexual performance in bed. Generalized anxiety causes irrational fears that are unrealistic. People can become extremely scared of sexual relationships and begin to isolate themselves. Bipolar disorder Bipolar disorder is also referred to as manic-depressive illness or manic depression. It's a mental health disorder that causes extreme shifts in energy, mood, and activity levels. At times, the individual is unable to concentrate and complete daily tasks. It can also cause a fear of sexual behavior and having intimacy with others. Learned negative response According to a study published in the Journal of Sex, erotophobia may be a learned behavior from growing up in a restrictive household that taught the fear of sex and any sexual exploration met with punishment. For example, men and women growing up in an extremely religious household that viewed anything related to sex as immoral. Over time these past experiences could cause fear or anxiety around sexual intimacy. (4) Pelvic pain conditions Fearing sex or sexual intimacy may come from having chronic pelvic pain. This issue is more prevalent than you believe, and for some reason, the reason for the daily pain and discomfort has no source. Below are common types of pelvic pain conditions. Vulvodynia Vulvodynia is when a woman has pain in the vulva region of the vagina. The vulvar is right at the opening of the vagina, and the pain can have a trigger, such as a touch or pressure, or be ongoing. Vaginismus If you have painful pelvic muscle spasms, you may have vaginismus. The cause of the involuntary contractions may have a source or unknown. Dyspareunia Dyspareunia is a health condition that causes pain during sexual intercourse. The reason may be psychological or medical. Treatments & Overcoming Erotophobia There are different treatments for overcoming erotophobia. The type of treatment ideal for you depends on the advice of your health professional and symptoms. It's important to remember that overcoming erotophobia may take time for the healing process to be complete. Cognitive-behavioral therapy Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of treatment that helps you identify the cause and reasons for your issues or intense fear and see them differently. During CBT, you begin to understand your irrational beliefs and self-destructive tendencies. By facing these negative emotions, you can hopefully work through the specific phobia, such as erotophobia. (5) Vaginal dilators Vaginal dilators or vaginal trainers are tube-shaped devices recommended by doctors and physical therapists to help people overcome pelvic pain. Pelvic pain can have an emotional, psychological, or physical component. When you're experiencing uncomfortable or searing pelvic pain, you may start to have negative associations with sex. Or perhaps, past trauma has linked pain with sex. Thousands of women have turned to vaginal dilators as a non-invasive way to stretch and lengthen a tight vagina. As you work with the vaginal dilator, your pelvic muscles begin to expand and relax as you move freshly oxygenated blood into your vagina tissues. Vaginal dilators can help with many pelvic pain conditions, including: Vulvodynia (pain around vaginal entrance) Dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse) Vaginismus (uncontrollable muscle spasms) Shortened vagina from undergoing menopause or radiation treatment Vaginal atrophy (extreme dryness) Everyone deserves a healthy sex life. When you have erotophobia, you may avoid romantic relationships and affection of any kind. As social beings, we need love and friendship from significant others. Therapy and vaginal dilators can help you overcome erotophobia. https://www.journeytohealministries.org/sexual-trauma-facts https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4311357/ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3159165/ https://www.healthline.com/health/behavioral-therapy Other VuVa Helpful Links: 7 Reasons for a Tight Vagina and How to Loosen How to use Vaginal Dilators How to Relax Vaginal Muscles, Vaginismus & Sex Vaginal Stretching - Keeping in Shape with Dilators Do Dilators Really Work? Yes, and They can Improve Your Sex Life! Shop for VuVa Vaginal Dilators
Learn more
Genophobia - Overcoming the Fear of Sexual Intercourse
What is a Phobia? According to Harvard Health, a phobia is an intense fear that’s excessive without rationality. It’s a type of anxiety disorder directed at an object, person, situation, or activity. (1) In the case of genophobia, it’s the intense fear of sexual intimacy. It’s sometimes called erotophobia. Even the thought of engaging in sexual relations with someone brings out extreme anxiety, overwhelming fear, and intense shame. When you have genophobia, you may also be dealing with other types of sexual phobias related to intimacy. coitophobia: overwhelming fear of sex. gymnophobia: fear of nudity. haphephobia: fear of touching. coitophobia: fear of penetration heterophobia: fear of the opposite gender tocophobia: fear of becoming pregnant or giving birth People with genophobia look for ways to overcome the fear of sexual intercourse, and the good news is that there are solutions. Treatment of genophobia The specific treatment of genophobia depends on whether the fear connects to a physical condition, such as vaginismus. Or the anxiety comes from a psychological issue. Vaginal dilators Genophobic people who experience intense pain from sexual penetration, inserting a tampon, or undergoing a gynecological exam, may benefit from using vaginal dilators. Dilator therapy has helped thousands of women overcome genophobia. Vaginal dilators are safe and effective in assisting women in stretching and lengthening vaginal tissue slowly. In a clinical trial, 80% of participants reported reduced pain after using VuVa™ magnetic vaginal dilators. (2) The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center recommends vaginal dilators to ease painful discomfort from vaginal penetration. (3) When a woman has ongoing pain associated with sexual intercourse, it can lead to an intense fear of sex or genophobia. Psychotherapy Meeting with a licensed therapist may help ease the symptoms of genophobia. Once you've identified the physical concern, you can address the emotional aspect. While many types of psychotherapy are available, one standard method is cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT involves helping the patient view the condition differently. As your therapist encourages alternative methods of thinking about the activity or phobia, you can examine physical responses to the cause of the problem. (4) You’ll learn about what triggers the reaction and how to overcome your response. Sometimes this may require you to expose yourself to sexual intimacy, to overcome the phobia. Exposure Therapy The American Psychological Association defines exposure therapy as a type of psychotherapy meant to engage the patient in the activity or trigger that causes the phobia or stress. Your goal is to confront your fears in a safe environment, in the hopes of overcoming them. (5) For example, if you have a fear of snakes, you may be asked to hold a snake. Or, if you're experiencing post-traumatic stress due to sexual abuse, you may be asked to imagine the traumatic event and reimagine it. Exposure therapy can help overcome the following conditions, including: Phobias (e.g. genophobia) Post-traumatic stress Generalized anxiety disorders Obsessive-compulsive disorders Social anxiety disorders If you’re experiencing genophobia, speak to your healthcare professional about vaginal dilator therapy and psychotherapy to determine which treatment is right for you. Symptoms of genophobia Every person experiences different genophobia symptoms. Genophobia has different triggers and has a profound effect on the person, making daily life unbearable at times. Symptoms may encompass one or more of the following: The thought of sexual intimacy may make you feel nauseous and overwhelmed when confronted with the possibility of intercourse. You have an immediate fear and panic that causes problems with sexual functioning. Logically you understand the fear is irrational, but sexual intimacy causes panic attacks, low self-esteem, and performance anxiety. The symptoms become worse the longer you're exposed to sexual triggers, and the only way to stop the fear is to stop the activity. You may begin to avoid the situation causing the fearful response. You may have trouble breathing, feel dizzy, become sweaty, or endure heart palpitations. Causes of genophobia Becoming fearful of sexual intercourse has different causes and triggers. In some situations, the exact cause may be hard to determine. Fearful of sexual performance: For some, being concerned about their performance in bed can cause erectile dysfunction or feelings of inadequacies when intimate. Body dysmorphic disorder: It's a mental health condition when a person can't stop thinking about perceived flaws in their appearance. You become ashamed and fearful of being seen in public, and this causes social anxiety and genophobia. (6) Vaginismus: It's the condition when pain and uncontrollable muscle spasms occur during sexual intercourse, tampon insertion, or a pelvic exam. The state may be primary or secondary. Primary is when the woman has never been able to have sex due to the pain and muscle spasms. Secondary is when pain happens after a woman has had sexual intercourse and then is unable to engage in sexual relations. Women suffering with vaginismus often find relief with vaginal dilators or sometimes called vaginal trainers to help ease vaginal tightening. Sexual abuse: When a man or woman experiences a childhood trauma such as child abuse by a primary or secondary caretaker, it may result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The person may avoid or become fearful of sex and continue to relive the abuse. Experiencing sexual assault: When you've experienced sexual assault or rape, you may become fearful of intimacy or sexual intercourse. The event is traumatic and causes you to shut down and avoid any sexual intimacy. Sometimes it's hard to know the difference between healthy fear and a phobia. At times, you may become confused as to what's causing the genophobia. The best solution is to speak to a sex therapist or medical professional to help you overcome the fear of sexual intercourse. With proper treatment, such as vaginal dilators or psychotherapy, you can have a healthy sex life. The first step is always the most difficult, but living the life you deserve is possible. https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/phobia-a-to-z https://www.vuvatech.com/pages/clinical-trials https://www.mskcc.org/blog/strategies-women-cope-sexual-and-vaginal-health-concerns-related https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/about/pac-20384610 https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/exposure-therapy https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/body-dysmorphic-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353938 Other VuVa Helpful Links: 7 Reasons for a Tight Vagina and How to Loosen How to use Vaginal Dilators How to Relax Vaginal Muscles, Vaginismus & Sex Vaginal Stretching - Keeping in Shape with Dilators Do Dilators Really Work? Yes, and They can Improve Your Sex Life! Shop for VuVa Vaginal Dilators
Learn more
How Common is Vaginismus? (Don't Ignore the Pain)
Sexual intercourse can become uncomfortable for many reasons— physical and psychological— but for a lot of women, the cause is vaginismus. Vaginismus is the involuntary spasms of vaginal muscles during penetrative sex. It not only causes pain during sex but also when inserting a tampon or undergoing a pap smear. Unfortunately, vaginismus is a hidden problem that most women avoid discussing or seeking treatment to overcome. Women with vaginismus may experience deep shame, or talking about sex is taboo. The condition causes women to believe they are suffering alone when vaginismus is more common than they think. If you're experiencing painful vaginal muscle spasms, you shouldn’t ignore the pain. What are the different types and causes of vaginismus? The two main types of vaginismus are primary and secondary. Primary vaginismus Primary vaginismus is when vaginal pain has always been present throughout women's life. It causes women to freeze when sexually active or during a pelvic exam. Sometimes the woman stops breathing and becomes still during intercourse, and once the attempt at penetration stops, the sensation disappears. The involuntary contraction makes having a healthy sex life almost impossible and brings about extreme discomfort for the women and possibly hurting relationships. Secondary vaginismus Secondary vaginismus occurs after women have experienced a healthy sex life, but for different reasons, intercourse has now become painful. Some of these reasons (physical and emotional) include: Pelvic radiation therapy: When a woman has radiation therapy for breast cancer or cervical cancer treatment, it may cause the vagina to shorten. Menopause: Women experiencing menopause may have vaginal atrophy (dryness) and painful vaginal penetration due to the imbalance of hormones. Relationship issues: Problems within a relationship may make sex hurt. Traumatic event: When you experience a traumatic event such as sexual abuse or sexual violence it may cause sexual dysfunction. Pelvic surgery: It's a broad term to include any kind of operation in the vaginal area. Medication: Some medications for menopause, cancer, and other health concerns may cause vaginal dryness, shortening of the vagina, and more. What are the symptoms of vaginismus? Vaginismus doesn’t prevent women from being sexually aroused. Women with vaginismus usually don’t have issues with sexual desire, but rather experience some or more of the following: Dyspareunia or tightening and burning sensation during sexual intercourse Long-term vaginal pain without a known cause Extreme discomfort during a vaginal exam Closing of the vagina when trying to insert a tampon Breathing cessation during intercourse How is vaginismus diagnosed? The diagnosis of vaginismus begins by describing your symptoms to your healthcare practitioner. Your doctor may ask you when you started to experience pelvic pain and other questions related to your sexual health. You may need to undergo a gynecological exam to determine if any physical signs are causing the pain and discomfort. For some, this is the most stressful time during diagnosis. You can talk about ways to make the procedure more comfortable. At the end of the consultation and exam, the doctor can determine if it’s vaginismus. If there’s no scarring or signs of infection, it usually means you have vaginismus. What are the treatments for vaginismus? Vaginismus is a treatable condition. Treatment varies by person, but the most common ways are counseling and vaginal dilators. Physical floor therapy and counseling Sex therapy primarily involves education around the anatomy of your body and the process of becoming sexually aroused. You’ll learn about what causes vaginismus too. Choosing a sex therapist experienced with sexual desire disorders and treating vaginismus may be helpful. The ultimate goal is to help promote relaxation and to overcome vaginismus. Vaginal dilators Vaginal dilators naturally help stretch the vagina to promote relaxation and well-being, VuVa™ Dilators come in various sizes to help women undergo dilator therapy as comfortable as possible. Dilator therapy is the process of slowly inserting a cone-shaped device in the vagina. In the beginning, the dilator size is small, to make the pain and discomfort as gentle as possible. As you continue with the therapy, the dilator size slowly increases. Research shows that vaginal dilator therapy helps women improve sexual health. Why shouldn't you ignore vaginismus pain? Living with vaginismus causes emotional and physical trauma that causes severe problems in relationships. Finding solutions to sexual dysfunction can heal pain and save marriages. While it may be hard to talk about vaginismus and seek treatment, there are answers. Vaginal dilators have helped thousands of women have the life they deserve. Invest in your sexual health by exploring the healing power of vaginal dilators. It’s never too late to overcome vaginismus.
Learn more
Home Remedy For Atrophy
How can I manage Vaginal Atrophy at home? Vaginal atrophy or dryness is a health condition causing vaginal tissues to become thin and inflamed. Most people assume vaginal dryness as a minor discomfort or easy to endure. However, the condition causes serious women's health concerns, affecting every area of a woman's life from physical well-being to self-esteem. While there are medications to treat vaginal dryness, they might not be the best choice for women looking for more natural treatments of vaginal atrophy without harmful side effects. Lifestyle Changes When it comes to treating painful dryness, the #1 home remedy for vaginal atrophy is to make lifestyle changes. While this may not be as easy as it sounds, making simple changes to your water intake and physical activity may improve vaginal health. Increase Water Intake Reversing vaginal atrophy by drinking more water helps increase natural lubrication. Drinking plenty of water helps hydrate your body by flushing your skin and cells with much-needed nutrients. Water increases your natural vaginal moisturizer, resulting in reduced discomfort. Regular Exercise Daily exercise helps flush the body of toxins and increases serotonin levels. Research shows that estrogen and serotonin are connected.Participating in daily exercise such as aerobic exercise, running, and yoga help increase serotonin levels and vaginal estrogen at the same time. Serotonin is the happy hormone and helps regulate your mood. As hormones fluctuate, many women experience depression, anxiety, and mood swings in addition to vaginal atrophy. Quit Smoking One of the hardest habits to quit is smoking, but the health benefits are clear. Smoking leeches the vaginal tissues of moisturizer and estrogen. Not only does it decrease estrogen levels, but it may also lead to osteoporosis, among other health problems. Stay Sexually Active It's natural for your sex drive to decrease when suffering from vaginal atrophy. Experiencing painful sexual intercourse harms sexual health and relationships. However, sexual activity increases blood flow to the pelvic floor and tissues. When the vaginal tissues have regular blood flow, it can increase natural moisturizers and lubricants. If sexual intercourse is too painful, stretching the vagina with a vaginal dilator is a remedy for vaginal atrophy. Avoid Perfumed Products Some perfumes, soaps, and detergents have synthetic chemicals that may irritate and dry the skin. Also, some vaginal lubricants and spermicides can dry the vaginal tissues when inserted. It’s better to avoid these products when they may increase the burning sensation associated with vaginal atrophy. Vaginal Atrophy Treatments While making lifestyle changes helps relieve symptoms of vaginal atrophy, there are other proven treatments available to support your healthy choices. One of these options, backed by science, is vaginal dilators. Vaginal Dilator Therapy Treating vaginal atrophy with vaginal dilators is a natural and safe remedy to alleviate painful symptoms associated with vaginal atrophy. Vaginal dilators are tube-shaped devices used to stretch the vagina while easing scarring and increasing vaginal lubrication. Vaginal dilators come in graduated sizes; the smallest the size of your pinky and increasing from there. VuVa™ Magnetic Vaginal Dilators come in a set of five with complimentary water-based lubricant. When you undergo dilator therapy, starting at the size that causes the least amount of pain during use, helps make the treatment more effective. Natural Vaginal Lubricants Using natural and water-based lubricants during sexual activity and while using vaginal dilators helps ease dryness. Conventional plant-based lubricants for the genital area include: Aloe vera Coconut oil Jojoba Vitamin E Probiotics Some evidence shows that probiotics help reduce vaginal atrophy. Probiotics help balance vagina pH levels. A healthy vagina has balanced levels of the vaginal microflora, which are microorganisms and connected to stable vagina pH levels. When there's low levels of pH, acidity increases, leading to dryness and in some cases, urinary tract infections. Hormone Therapy Decreased levels of estrogen cause vaginal atrophy. One solution is to undergo hormone therapy with an estrogen product like an oral estrogen or cream. While hormone therapy is controversial, it's essential to talk to your doctor before beginning treatment. Vaginal Atrophy Causes Vaginal atrophy is thinning, drying, and inflamed vaginal walls due to low levels of estrogen. The cause of vaginal atrophy varies, but there are some common reasons for this condition. Menopause The North American Menopause Society defines menopause as the time in a woman’s life when menstruation comes to an end. Women transition from fertile to infertile, and during this time experience menopausal symptoms, including: Hot flashes Mood swings Weight gain Insomnia Vaginal atrophy Progesterone and estrogen play a significant role in fertility and hormonal imbalance. The drop in hormones causes vaginal dryness, burning, and pain during sexual intercourse. The most common age for menopause is 51, but perimenopausal women begin experiencing transition symptoms 4-5 years before actual menopause. Cancer Treatment Women who undergo radiation therapy due to having cancer may develop vaginal atrophy. Radiation therapy causes thinning and drying of the vaginal walls, leading to scarring and tightening of the vagina. After treatment, a woman may experience a burning sensation during sexual activity, a pelvic exam, or even inserting a tampon. Breast Cancer Hormonal Treatment Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer for women. Although, men can experience breast cancer too. Researchers have identified that hormonal, genetic, and lifestyle choices play a role in developing breast cancer. Treatment for breast cancer varies depending on the type, but if the disease is hormone-sensitive, hormone-blocking therapy may help fight and prevent cancer from returning. Hormonal treatment may occur before or after breast cancer treatment. As a result, you may experience similar symptoms to menopause, including vaginal atrophy. Surgical Removal of Both Ovaries Removing a woman's ovaries takes away the ability to reproduce naturally. The body makes the transition into menopause. When this happens, a woman experiences painful menopausal symptoms such as night sweats and vaginal atrophy. Experiencing daily vaginal atrophy changes the way you live and experience life. Fortunately, natural remedies for vaginal atrophy may provide relief. Making lifestyle changes help alleviate symptoms, and VuVatech vaginal dilators are a safe and effective way to heal naturally. Do you need to order vaginal dilators so you can start your pelvic floor therapy process? Made in the USA. Visit www.vuvatech.com VuVa Helpful Links: How do Neodymium Vaginal Dilators work? 7 Reasons for a Tight Vagina and How to Loosen How to use Vaginal Dilators How to Relax Vaginal Muscles, Vaginismus & Sex Vaginal Stretching - Keeping in Shape with Dilators Do Dilators Really Work? Yes, and They can Improve Your Sex Life! Shop for VuVa Vaginal Dilators Tara Langdale Schmidt is the inventor of the VuVa Dilator Company. She has pelvic floor dysfunction herself and wanted to create a dilator set that is made in America that women can trust. VuVatech has been in business since 2014 and has helped over 50,000 women all over the globe. She patented the Neodymium Vaginal Dilator, that is clinically proven to help with blood flow and nerve pain.
Learn more
How to Avoid Painful Sex: 5 Helpful Tips
If having pain during sex is new to you and haven’t yet done much research on the topic, you may not have heard of the medical name for it: dyspareunia. It refers to the varying presentations and degrees of pain that can occur during intercourse when something isn’t functioning as it should be. If this is you, you are no doubt wondering how to prevent painful sex. Fortunately there are various solutions available to restore or improve your sex life. This article will cover the symptoms and causes of dyspareunia, and offer you five top tips for avoiding pain during sex… Painful sex symptoms What are the most common symptoms of painful sex? Firstly it’s worth noting that sexual pain symptoms are not always the same, since we have complex bodies. Sometimes underlying conditions can create dysfunction leading to pain. Often women with dyspareunia experience the most pain during penetration. Sexual pain can be felt deep inside the pelvic area. It may be most uncomfortable in the vagina, but can also occur in the bladder or urethra. The pain may vary from aching or burning sensations to uncomfortable itching. It could be compared to the kind of stabbing or deep pains experienced during dysmenorrhea (period cramps). Dyspareunia can occur at varying stages of sexual intercourse, but it most likely at penetration, during or after intercourse. For some, it only occurs when intercourse has finished. Others still may find that it only happens in certain situations, or with specific people. Why do I feel pain during sex? There are many possible reasons for dyspareunia. Causes of painful sex vary greatly, and it is not always easy to pinpoint the true reasons. It is sensible to examine some of the physical factors that may be behind it. The below list is a good place to start, but in the event that you are unable to find the cause of painful sex, you should consult a qualified healthcare practitioner for an official diagnosis. Your doctor will examine your medical history and perform a pelvic examination. It may be necessary to take a vaginal sample in case tests are required. It’s possible that women who experience dyspareunia can also feel pain when inserting tampons or having gynecological examinations. Although it is more common in women, it’s also possible for men to have dyspareunia. If you have pain during intercourse, firstly, you should determine whether you are experiencing outer or inner pain. This can be a good indicator of which underlying conditions could be responsible. Entry pain in the vagina or anus is classified as outer pain. Conditions that cause outer pain are: Vulvodynia or vaginismus Vulvodynia is a chronic vaginal pain condition, which itself has a variety of possible causes. It is characterized by a burning or stinging pain in the entrance of the vagina, and must have been present for over three months. For pain around the opening, the condition is called vulvar vestibulitis. Vaginismus refers to involuntary muscle contractions and spasms in the vagina. Penetration can be painful, difficult and even impossible with this condition. Both conditions can play havoc with a woman’s sex life since she is unable to relax due to the pain upon intercourse. Vaginal dryness If you are not properly lubricated during sex, this can lead to pain. Women who have had radiation treatment for cancer may struggle with this issue, as will women who have had their ovaries removed. That’s because estrogen levels will drop significantly or even totally. The same applies for women who have been through the menopause, which may lead to lack of libido and lessened frequency of intercourse. The latter is, for some, a causal factor in dyspareunia. Women who are on birth control may also be at risk. Other factors affecting lubrication levels are breastfeeding, smoking, stress and excessive exercise. Finally, it’s important to make sure you are getting enough foreplay so that your body is ready for penetration. Other causes of outer pain It is possible that inflammation, infections, or skin disorders like lichen sclerosus, psoriasis or eczema are causing outer pain. A UTI (urinary tract infection), yeast infections, or an STD could also cause it. Another possibility (although rare) is congenital abnormality such as vaginal agenesis or a retroverted uterus. There are also conditions that cause inner pain: that is, deep pain in the vagina or anus. Some of the more common possibilities are: Interstitial cystitis Endometriosis Ovarian cysts Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Damage or discomfort after giving birth Hemorrhoids Surgical or medical treatments impacting the vaginal wall or hormone levels A history of sexual or emotional abuse Stress 5 best ways to avoid painful sex There are several things that can help with dyspareunia pain, from products to behaviors. Below are our five favorite painful sex remedies: The Ohnut ring The Ohnut ring is a little device that your partner can wear around the base of his penis. It acts as a soft buffer when you’re having sex, allowing control over the depth of penetration. It comes as a set of 4 linking rings, meaning that you can make adjustments for maximum comfort when necessary. Its soft design makes it feel like skin, and it’s very comfortable to wear for your partner. Vaginal dilators Vaginal dilators are small plastic or silicone devices with a range of benefits for women with sexual health problems. They are designed to stretch the vaginal capacity if needed, but they can also prepare a woman for penetration when this has been historically difficult. Some of the benefits of using vaginal dilators for dyspareunia are: Pain free penetration, tampon insertion or pelvic exams through pelvic floor muscle relaxation Post-surgery comfort for those with narrowing, shortening or scarring in the birth canal Prevention of adhesions/fibrosis after radiotherapy to the pelvic area A reduction of pelvic floor muscle tension (or vaginismus spasms) Psychological benefits (diminishing the negative anticipation around penetration) Need Dilators? Visit the VuVa Dilator Store here Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Pelvic floor physical therapy is a treatment to help address pain, weakness, and dysfunction in the pelvic floor muscles. The type of therapy you need will depend upon the different symptoms you’re experiencing. For example, some symptoms will require relaxing and lengthening of the muscles, while others may require strengthening the muscles. Find a pelvic floor physical therapist near you here. CBD products Our bodies contain natural chemical receptors, known as endocannabinoids, and these have a role in pain. Located in the brain, nervous system, and reproductive organs, they are part of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which reduces pain in the body a harm reduction system. Researchers have found evidence that the ECS has a vital role in pain and inflammation treatment and management. In 2014, they determined that 61% of pelvic pain sufferers who used cannabis benefited from symptom improvement. CBD products containing high amounts are able to reduce pain inflammation without the high associated with THC. VuVa does not recommend a specific brand of CBD products. Open communication with your partner As always, communication around sexual intercourse can only be helpful, although many undoubtedly find this to be a sensitive topic. However, if you want to avoid pain during sex, it is important to be sure your partner knows what hurts and what feels good. ‘Grinning and bearing it’ will not lead to intimacy and connection, which should be one of the main goals of sex. Whether you discuss your pain in the moment or outside of the bedroom, your partner will surely be grateful for the information, as they will want you to enjoy yourself. Another good idea is to use extra lubrication if you’re experiencing any dryness, which could also be a contributor. We hope you found our recommendations on how to avoid painful sex useful, and are happy to help with any product advice for this issue. Don’t forget to check out our blog, which is a library of information on women’s sexual health concerns. Thanks for reading! Resources Vuvatech.com/blogs/care/dilators-for-dyspareunia-home-treatment-for-painful-sex Bmj.com/content/361/bmj.k2341 Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5638059/ Pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20962696/ Do you need to order vaginal dilators so you can start your pelvic floor therapy process? Made in the USA. Visit www.vuvatech.com VuVa Helpful Links: How do Neodymium Vaginal Dilators work? 7 Reasons for a Tight Vagina and How to Loosen How to use Vaginal Dilators How to Relax Vaginal Muscles, Vaginismus & Sex Vaginal Stretching - Keeping in Shape with Dilators Do Dilators Really Work? Yes, and They can Improve Your Sex Life! Shop for VuVa Vaginal Dilators Tara Langdale Schmidt is the inventor of the VuVa Dilator Company. She has pelvic floor dysfunction herself and wanted to create a dilator set that is made in America that women can trust. VuVatech has been in business since 2014 and has helped over 50,000 women all over the globe. She patented the Neodymium Vaginal Dilator, that is clinically proven to help with blood flow and nerve pain. Podcast Episode 22: Tara Langdale-Schmidt What’s on Your Vagenda? Click here
Learn more
Made in the USA
We create safe, effective products that truly work — designed to help you relax, restore balance, and feel good in your body again. Our VuVa® Pelvic Floor Support Sets gently calm nerves, ease tension, and support natural pelvic healing from the inside out.
