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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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How to Achieve Pain-Free Sexual Intimacy with PelvicSense by Evelyn Hecht, PT
For women who experience the following: - pain during intercourse, - have a fear of penetration because of past sexual trauma, - have restricted vaginal scar tissue from cancer treatments or surgery,- experience difficulty with penetration during menopause: Dilators can help regain healthy sexual function and improve intimacy between you and your male partner. A vaginal dilator is a personal tube-shaped device used to stretch the vagina. Vaginal dilators are smooth plastic, rubber, or glass cylinder-shaped objects with various graduated sizes and widths. They range in size from short and narrow, like an index finger, to longer and wider, like a cucumber. More female-led companies are designing dilators with pleasing colors and better ergonomics, so many options exist. The company, Vuvatech, includes magnets inside one of its products, the Neodymium Magnetic Dilator, which increases blood flow to the vaginal tissues. A double-blind placebo study showed improvements in symptoms after women used this product! vuvatech.com/collections/magnetic-vaginal-dilators. A dilator is inserted into the vagina to help the vulva and pelvic floor muscles get used to receiving touch and feeling comfortable with stretch. These tissues can stretch as a natural part of sexual function and the birth process. Using dilators helps desensitize the emotional and perhaps a physical recoil reaction when the area is touched. By gradually increasing the size of the dilator to your partner’s size, you build confidence towards enjoying penetrative sex. If you are nervous or fearful of anything touching your vagina, consider starting the online pelvic healing home program, PelvicSense, www.pelvicsense.com. Doing this program for 20 minutes three days a week can significantly improve the success of dilator training and gain pain-free intimacy. PelvicSense teaches why your body experiences pain, how to send more soothing, safe messages to your nervous system and reduces the underlying pelvic muscle tension. The 3-month program includes guided audios with music to calm the hypersensitive nervous system, gentle progressive exercises to encourage your body to move with ease and strategies to regain optimal pelvic function. Dilators can seem intimidating, so it helps to become familiar with them before use, perhaps rename them something sexy or healing for a more positive experience.Before your dilator session, create a soothing environment, whatever that means to you. Use scented candles, listen to relaxing music, perhaps take a warm bath, do some stretches from PelvicSense or meditate before use. Empty your bladder for more comfort. Arrange pillows so you are in a semi-reclined position, your knees bent and lowered comfortably to each side resting on a few more pillows. To further decrease the expectation of pain or lower feelings of anxiety, repeat a few positive affirmations, such as: “I am safe.” “I am relaxed.” “I am healthy.” “My vagina is soft and receptive.” “I can insert my dilator with ease.” Saying them out loud has the best effect. Follow your statements by doing 5 slow full diaphragmatic breaths to relax the pelvic floor and activate the Parasympathetic “rest/prepare for sex” nervous system. Once you feel calm, you can follow the directions on using your dilator from the package, your pelvic physical therapist, or the from the Learn module in PelvicSense. Once you reach the dilator size close to your partner’s size, include your partner in the process and have a bit of fun together, possibly using a dilator or even vibrator. It’s essential for the person with vaginal pain to feel in control and discuss a plan ahead of time. Sensing little tugs or discomfort at the start of penetration may occur and is normal. In summary, pain-free intimacy can be achieved with gentle practice of an online pelvic healing home program and dilator training in about 3 months.About: PelvicSense is an affordable online pelvic healing home program that significantly reverses chronic pelvic pain and pelvic floor dysfunction in three (3) months. www.pelvicsense.com Designed by a Master Clinician of pelvic physical therapy and a Certifiedbiopsychosocial chronic pain rehabilitation practitioner with 25 years of clinicalexperience, do the home program while receiving care by your healthcare practitioners. - Learn about pain neuroscience, and how to heal with evidence-based self-care techniques to reduce pelvic pain/distress- Feel safe doing gentle body exercises for the pelvis, achieve a sense ofcalm with Evelyn’s guided audios, and learn strategies to return tooptimum pelvic function This program is for you if you’re ready to: LEARN- Understand why you have pelvic issues. You want to learn how to do safe,proven self-care activities to free your pelvic discomfort and/or pelvic pain- Our easy to comprehend 10-minute reads include information about thescience of breathing, stretching, gratitude, achieving intimacy, use ofdilators, tips for optimum urinary and bowel function + more- You’ll also receive our eBook, Heal Your Pelvic Pain with ScienceREWIRE- Let go of the stress and anxiety that usually comes with pelvic issues- Be guided on the positive emotional journey towards health- Listen to our audio guides with music to relax your mind, calm your nervoussystem and retrain your brain MOVE- Receive guidance from an expert who understands pelvic/hip/backanatomy and movement, who teaches you a gently paced, step by stepmethod to safely exercise for optimum results- 20 progressive videos, over 45 exercises, to soften pelvic floor tension, gainflexibility, stability, pelvic floor and core strengthPelvic Health Conditions Treated with PelvicSense Endometriosis, Vulvodynia, Pudendal Neuralgia, Chronic Pelvic Pain, InterstitialCystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome, Urinary Urgency, Incontinence, Constipation, Abdominal Bloating, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Coccydynia, Rectal Pain, Lower Back, Hip and Sacroiliac Joint Pain About Evelyn Evelyn Hecht is the founder of PelvicSense, Master Clinician of Pelvic Physical Therapy, Certified Biopsychosocial Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Practitioner, Curable scientific advisory board member and women’s health researcher. Evelyn has over 25 years of professional experience and has personally treated over 15,000 women. PelvicSense is Evelyn’s evidence-based brainchild to help you achieve lasting healing from the comfort of your own home. Her online program provides everything you need - education, calming mind exercises, and gentle progressive body exercise videos - to create peace in yourbody. You can achieve significant results in just three months using the program just 20 minutes three times a week - which is also designed to be used alongside traditional medical treatment or while working with a PT. PelvicSense can help with endometriosis, IBS, IC, painful sex, lower back pain, sitting pain and urinary urgency/frequency. Please get in touch to find out more 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
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How Your Pelvic Floor Condition Can Be Improved with a Vaginal Dilator
Painful experiences with vaginal penetration don’t have to be something you deal with forever. There are ways to help address your pelvic floor condition. Vaginal dilators are a proven way to recover from some or all of the symptoms associated with your condition, when used properly. Check out our helpful guide to improving your condition with a vaginal dilator. What Is a Vaginal Dilator? Vaginal dilators, also known vaginal spacers or trainers, are tube shaped tools designed to expand or restore the musculature and tissues in the vaginal opening. They are often used to keep the vaginal tissues healthy and pliable by gently stretching them over time, and for pelvic floor rehabilitation therapy to ensure the canal is functional for a patient’s preferences, without invasive surgery. Vaginal dilators are typically made out of body-safe silicone, rubber, or plastic. They range in sizes from small to large and often come in sets. Pelvic health physical therapists can help women find the right sizes that are comfortable for them. 8 Conditions That Can Be Improved with a Vaginal Dilator Here are some common pelvic conditions that can be improved with the use of a vaginal dilator. Vaginismus Vaginismus is a condition that causes the vaginal muscles to involuntarily tighten and spasm during penetration. This often makes sexual intercourse, tampon insertion, and gynecological exams uncomfortable, painful, or even impossible. This condition can result from medical or emotional factors, sometimes both. If vaginismus is left untreated, it may get worse. Vulvodynia Vulvodynia is a chronic pain condition that causes pain to one or multiple areas of the vulva. Many women report a burning sensation, while others report pain symptoms consistent with stabbing pains. Any activities that apply pressure to the vulva may cause pain, including prolonged sitting and/or sexual intercourse. Vulvar Vestibulitis Vulvar vestibulitis or provoked vestibulodynia is a cognition that causes increased sensitivity to pain at the opening of the vagina with even a gentle touch or stimulation. This means that touches that are normally mild cause pain. Pelvic Organ Prolapse Pelvic organ prolapse is a pelvic floor condition that is caused by the muscles and tissues of the pelvic floor giving way and no longer supporting the pelvic organs and their typical position. The pelvic organs (bladder, vagina, uterus, cervix, rectum,and urethra prolapse. This may happen due to factors related to childbirth, genetic predisposition, connective tissue disorder, and other conditions. Some of the symptoms of this condition include pelvic pain or discomfort, pressure, urine leakage, sexual difficulties, and protruding tissues or organs. Vaginal Fibrosis Vaginal fibrosis is a condition that makes it painful for women to engage in sexualintercourse. It is often the result of radiation therapy or cancer, which causes adhesions to grow on the fibrous tissues in the vagina. Vaginal Agenesis Vaginal agenesis is a rare condition that occurs at birth when the vagina and womb don’t develop or they develop partially. This condition can be approved through the process of self-dilation. Vaginal Stenosis Vaginal stenosis is when fibrous tissue forms in the vagina causing it to become narrower and shorter. This often leads to sexual dysfunction, painful pelvic exams, and other complications. Dyspareunia Dyspareunia refers to painful intercourse. Patients generally report having a sharp or painful sensation in the genital area or the pelvic area during intercourse. This condition often causes interpersonal conflict and distress. There are other pelvic floor conditions that didn’t make our list that may require a vaginal dilator. We recommend consulting a physician or a pelvic floor physical therapist if you believe you have one of these conditions that has not yet been diagnosed to ensure you get the proper How Your Pelvic Floor Condition Can Be Improved with a Vaginal Dilator Your pelvic floor condition can be treated and lead to a more comfortable and enjoyable experience. Vaginal dilators have been used for over 50 years to help women achieve symptom recovery in conjunction with their pelvic floor therapy. Vaginal dilators are a natural and effective treatment option frequently prescribed by medical professionals to help women decrease pain and improve their sex lives. They help to improve pelvic floor conditions by slowly widening and lengthening the vagina and sending blood flow to the localized area. The best part about this treatment option is that you can undergo vaginal dilator therapy at your own pace, in the comfort of your own home, on your terms. Use dilators as much or as little as you need. Here are some of the medical and emotional symptoms that vaginal dilators help to alleviate: Fear of intercourse/intimacy Reduces pain caused by sexual activity Relaxes pelvic floor muscles Lessens discomfort during pelvic exams Improves vaginal atrophy caused by radiation cancer treatments/menopause With different movements and time, vaginal dilators really do improve your tolerance for penetration. Learn more about how to properly use a vaginal dilator here. Tips for Using a Vaginal Dilator If you already have a vaginal dilator and need some help to guide you on your way to relief, here are five helpful tips: Relax before you begin. Put on some soothing music or take some deep breaths before you begin. Start the dilation process slowly. There’s no need to rush your therapy. Make sure you don’t take on too much at once and you follow your therapist or doctor’s recommendation. Feeling better is a marathon not a sprint. Become aware of physical sensations. Think about your body and what it’s doing when you insert the dilator to avoid getting caught up in your thoughts or emotions. Try different positions. Most often, a modified happy baby pose is suggested to new dilator users for comfort. If you begin getting used to dilator insertion, try switching your position to side-lying. Prop a pillow between your knees to help relax the hip and leg muscles further. Use as much lubricant as you want. Don’t feel like you have to use lubricant sparingly. If you are afraid of making a mess on the surface where you are inserting the dilator, then cover the surface with a towel. Sometimes the more lubricant you use, the easier it is to insert the dilator. Start your pelvic floor therapy process today and order one of Vuvatech’s vaginal dilators or dilator kits. 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
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How are Dilators Used For Pelvic Pain?
Your healthcare provider or physical therapist may have recommended dilators for pelvic floor dysfunction. This may have been the first time you’ve heard of a vaginal dilator or pelvic wand. Not knowing what they are or how to use dilators for pelvic pain is normal. After all, talking about sexual pain or sexual dysfunction is difficult and not exactly a dinner time conversation. But in female sexual medicine dilators are commonly prescribed to help heal many pelvic pain conditions such as vaginal stenosis, pudendal neuralgia, or vaginal agenesis. In this article, we’ll help you understand the best practices for using dilators for pelvic pain. There are silicone vaginal dilators and plastic vaginal dilators. Getting Started With Vaginal Dilator Therapy Vaginal dilators come in a variety of sizes and textures, making them ideal for helping a wide variety of medical conditions affecting the pelvic floor and vaginal tissues. The simplicity of the device does not truly reflect the positive health outcomes many women report and backed by scientific research. While some pelvic pain can be diagnosed from a specific cause, such as pelvic floor radiation or a pelvic organ prolapse. Other times the pain occurs during pelvic exams, during sexual intercourse, or from vaginal atrophy due to menopause. While penetration of any kind may trigger the pain, the discomfort may become chronic and without known triggers. Chronic pelvic pain with no known cause is called vulvodynia. Regardless of the painful intercourse or penetration, getting started with vaginal dilator therapy is easy and the treatment simple to follow. How to insert the dilator? The best part about vaginal dilator therapy is that for the most part occurs in the privacy of your own home. Before treatment find a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted. Prop your head and neck up with soft pillows and open your legs wide. With gentle pressure slowly insert the dilator into the vaginal canal. Vaginal penetration may be extremely uncomfortable at first, so it’s important only to insert the dilator as far as the pain will allow. Your dilator set will come with a variety of sizes. In the beginning, choose the smallest size to make sure that you’re not overwhelmed by the treatment. In essence, dilator therapy is helping you to relax your pelvic floor muscles. The lengthening and strengthening comes from letting go and allowing the dilator to do its job. How long to keep the dilator inserted? This is a great question and one asked by women to health physical therapists a lot. We recommend that you aim for 20-30 minutes each session. It may require deep breathing and holding the dilator inside with your hand. At first, your pelvic floor muscles may try to push the dilator out, but as your treatment progresses, you’ll be able to hold the dilator inside for longer periods without resistance. Dilators can cause pain when inserted but the pain is really helping vaginal tissues and muscles to relax. The pain should never be too much or beyond a four on a 1-10 pain scale. How many times per week to practice dilator therapy? Typically, the treatment for painful intercourse or other vulva pain conditions should happen 1-2 times per day. Relaxing the pelvic floor takes consistent treatment over a few weeks to months. Even after you’ve stopped experiencing pain after sexual activity, you may need ongoing treatments to ensure that your vagina remains strong and elastic. It’s recommended to set a schedule that’s right for you. Should I use a lubricant? Yes, a vaginal moisturizer may help ease the pelvic pain during dilation. Generously cover your vaginal dilator and vagina opening with a water-based lubricant. Some vaginal dilator sets come with complimentary lubricant to use during treatment. You may also add more lubricant if needed during the dilation session. How to increase the dilator size? You may increase the size from small to a medium dilator and so on, as you feel comfortable doing so during your treatment. It may take a few sessions before you feel ready to insert a larger size, but you may feel ready during the same session. Dilator sizes start at as small as a pinky finger all the way up to 1.5 inches in width. Increasing the size is necessary to lengthen and strengthen tender vaginal tissues and muscles but remember only increase without searing pain. How do you know what size dilator you need? Click here. Types of Vaginal Dilators Dilators come in many different sizes and types. The three most common are the following: Magnetic vaginal dilators: By far the best vaginal dilator set you can buy to improve pelvic dysfunction. The set comes with over 60 neodymium magnets that pull fresh oxygenated blood while healing vaginal scar tissue. Women report less pain and discomfort after treatment with these deluxe dilators, compared to other types. While the cost is higher for magnetic dilators, the results are superior. Non magnetic vaginal dilators: These dilators are made with medical grade plastic and come with a soft yet firm feel that slips in easily. The firm plastic makes it easier to target pain trigger points with it’s smooth design. Silicone vaginal dilators: Perhaps, the softest vaginal wands you can invest in. Silicone dilators are firm yet flexible and offer an outstanding choice for those why latex allergy concerns. The hypoallergenic material is at the highest grade you can find. What should I do after the pelvic floor physical therapy? After completing your pelvic floor rehabilitation, you should wash your vaginal dilator and hands with warm water. Place your dilator on a towel to air dry. Once dry store in the provided cloth pouch for later use. Using dilators for pelvic pain is easy and simple to perform. It’s only a matter of time before your pelvic health and self life improves. The reason vaginal dilators are the number one choice to pelvic floor dysfunction is that they work. Before starting treatment speak to your healthcare provider about the possibilities of vaginal dilators. 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 Dilator Company 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
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I Have Painful Orgasms, What Are My Options?
Everyone talks about how important a healthy sex life is, but no one talks about pain during orgasm. The medical term for painful orgasms is dysorgasmia. It feels like a sex headache or deep muscle cramps that take away the pleasure of lovemaking. If you're suffering from dysorgasmia, you'll be happy to hear you're not alone and do have treatment options that work. Symptoms of Painful Orgasms The depth and severity of the symptoms varies and affects each person differently. Both men and women can experience cramps after sex. The condition may have always existed from your first sexual experience or have begun with no apparent cause. Regardless of the reason, dysorgasmia can cause symptoms that include: Painful sex after climax Sharp abdominal pain Searing back pain Deep penetration pain in the scrotum, penis, and perineal You can feel this pain right before or right after an orgasm. Figure Out The Underlying Cause The exact cause of painful orgasms isn’t known, but it’s associated with different health conditions. The first step in diagnosis is to speak to a medical professional to ascertain the underlying cause. Sometimes you have a bladder infection that can be treated with medication. Or the reason is psychological, and sex therapy with vaginal dilator therapy is the answer. In some cases, especially in women's health, the cause can't be determined. Below are some possible reasons for painful orgasms. Endometriosis One of the potential causes of dysorgasmia is endometriosis. It's when tissue grows outside of the uterus and during each menstrual cycle thickens, breaks down, and bleeds. Uterine Fibroids Another condition that could be a cause of painful orgasms is uterine fibroids. These are balls of tissue that collect in the uterus. While rarely cancerous, uterine fibroids can expand and distort the uterus, resulting in painful sex and orgasms. Ovarian Cysts Another underlying condition that could result in dysorgasmia is ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts are pockets of fluid-filled sacs that collect around the ovaries. When irritated or burst can result in serious pelvic pain that feels like period cramps. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Pelvic floor dysfunction is a common cause of pain during sex. Your pelvic muscles act like a sling to hold your bladder, rectum, and sexual organs. The pelvic muscles are the foundation of your pelvis to keep everything in place. It's critical that you're able to relax and contract these muscles correctly. If the muscles become weak or strained, pelvic pain can occur, making sex and orgasms painful. The reasons for the pelvic floor dysfunction can be one of the following: Chronic constipation Giving birth Surgery Traumatic injuries Being overweight Aging Vulvodynia Vaginismus Vaginal atrophy Pudendal Neuralgia Connective Tissue Disorders The pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms include pelvic pain, issues with urination, bowel movement dysfunction, and pain during intercourse. The condition may start without warning, become chronic, or intermittent. Bladder Disorder One of the potential causes of painful orgasms is bacterial infections or disorders. Bladder disorders are when you have an overactive bladder leading to weak pelvic floor muscles. You may be unable to go to the bathroom or leak urine accidentally, amongst other symptoms. Pelvic Inflammatory Disorder (PID) Another cause of dysorgasmia is PID, or an infection of the female reproductive organs. PID is a sexually transmitted infection from bacteria being spread from your vagina to your uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. It can lead to chronic pelvic pain or pelvic inflammatory disease. Radiation Therapy If you experience pain after an orgasm, it may come from pelvic radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is a standard treatment for people with certain types of cancer, such as uterine cancer or prostate cancer. While radiation therapy helps reduce cancer cells, it can change the shape and texture of vaginal tissues. The vulva and vaginal cavity may become smaller and more sensitive with the vaginal walls inflamed, thin, and dry. Treatment Options Orgasm muscle cramps make it hard to truly experience a lively sex life. However, there are treatment options that lead to pain-free orgasms and healthy living. Understand You're Not Alone First, understand that you're not alone and that sexual dysfunction takes a toll on mental health. The exact number isn't known for how many men and women experience pain after sex, but it's estimated to be about 20%. One treatment option is to seek advice from a sex therapist or counselor. Speaking to a trained professional about dysorgasmia helps give you the tools to understand your condition and hopefully figure out the underlining cause and best treatment plan for you Use Vaginal Dilators If you experience painful orgasms, you may benefit from vaginal dilators or wands. Vaginal dilators are tube-shaped devices that resemble sex toys but are medical devices used to treat everything from pelvic floor dysfunction to chronic pelvic pain. Vaginal dilators are a natural way to strengthen weak pelvic floor muscles that are causing pain. When you have tight vaginal tissues, you may experience involuntary muscle contraction or searing pain during intercourse. Your pelvic floor tissue may become inflamed, thin, and dry. All of which can lead to dysorgasmia or other pelvic pain conditions. Vaginal dilators come in multiple sizes and provide a safe and effective method for overcoming sexual issues. As you learn to lengthen and relax taut muscles, youThe treatment is at your own pace, and research shows that VuVa™ magnetic vaginal dilators reduced overall pain by 80%. Understand It Takes Time Post orgasm pain may take time to overcome, depending on the underlining condition. In some cases, a medicine may help ease the symptoms quickly. However, if the cause is unknown, due to weak pelvic floor muscles or traumatizing sexual activity, reducing the pain may take longer. Strengthening and softening tight vaginal muscles is an ongoing process that may require daily treatment for a few weeks or months before real progress can be felt. But be rest assured you can overcome painful orgasms. Vaginal dilators may be the answer you need to improve your sexual health and having the orgasm you deserve. 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
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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.
