Acupuncture for vaginismus is one of the most effective treatments for the painful spasm and contraction of the muscles of the vagina that prevents sexual intercourse. This spastic pain is known in medicine as vaginismus. The condition results in pain when vaginal sexual intercourse is attempted or, in some cases, during a pelvic examination by a health-care provider. Vaginismus is not common, and its cause is poorly understood. Anxiety, past sexual trauma, or other psychological conditions have been suggested as potential contributing factors. Vaginismus is considered to be a form of female sexual dysfunction. Treatment of vaginismus involves education, counseling, and the use of vaginal dilating exercises, but the most clinically proved effective method is acupuncture for vaginismus.

Vaginismus is involuntary spasm or contraction of the muscles surrounding the lower third of the vagina with attempts at any form of vaginal penetration. It involves the muscles just below the skin called the perineal muscles and the deeper pelvic floor muscles (PFM). Once a woman has experienced pain with attempts at penetration, it makes the next time, even more, difficult, as a fear of pain can increase her physical pain as well as heighten the muscle contraction, further compounding the pain.

What is acupuncture for vaginismus?

Acupuncture for vaginismus is the insertion of small acupuncture needles into the skin at specific points of the body to achieve a therapeutic effect. The insertion points are based on specific landmarks mapped out along the body energy conduits called meridians. Meridians are pathways throughout the body that are believed to contain the internal Qi energy, encourage blood flow / circulation. It may be used for a variety of different reasons, but one of the primary uses for it in acupuncture for vaginismus is for the relief of pain.

Vaginismus is a paradox; it is an involuntary contraction of voluntary muscles.

There are two main forms of vaginismus:

• Primary vaginismus is where no vaginal penetration has ever been successful; this includes tampons, intercourse, and ultrasound etc.
• Secondary vaginismus is where vaginal penetration was possible in the past but is now no longer possible due to a variety of reasons which may lead to fear of pain with attempts at penetration.

What are the physical contributors to vaginismus and how acupuncture for vaginismus pinpoint to the core of the condition?

It is always important for the health care practitioners who are treating this condition to address any possible physical contributors to vaginismus. There are many possible factors that can cause primary vaginismus or deteriorate secondary form and if they are overlooked female patient may be spending time on therapies that may not be appropriate for her. Not all cases of vaginismus are psychological. Some of them are developed based on real physical influences.

Some physical conditions to consider and discuss with a doctor or allied health practitioner include:

• Undiagnosed endometriosis may be a contributor. This is often associated menstrual cramps, pain with bowel opening, non-menstrual pelvic pain, or inability to manage sexual intercourse due to pain.
• Infections in other parts of your body that require the frequent use of antibiotics can lead to undiagnosed recurrent vulvovaginal thrush. This can make the skin sore and lead to pain at attempts at penetration.
• Some sexually transmitted infections, for example, vulvar warts or herpes, may lead to secondary vaginismus in some women if there is an ongoing pain after the STI has been treated, but the pain is unmanaged.
• Tissue or nerve hypersensitivity the entry of the vagina, such as a pudendal nerve pain (the pelvic and perineal nerve), also called pudendal neuralgia.
• Vulvar skin conditions, such as Lichen sclerosis, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis.
• Vulvar pain.
• Skin changes can occur after menopause, early menopause or menopause after breast cancer treatment.
• Irregular periods, long term absent periods or long-term use of the oral contraceptive pill may also affect the vulvar skin integrity due to under heterogenization of the tissues. Thinning of the skin, dryness, redness, splitting, and irritation may occur, which may cause skin pain with attempts at penetration that can lead to the anticipatory PFM contraction that is vaginismus.

It is very important to discover the initial causes for vaginismus to choose the correct protocol for acupuncture for vaginismus treatment.

Depending on these initial causes the goal of acupuncture for vaginismus could be either pain relief or stimulation of libido and sexual desire.

Acupuncture for vaginismus at Philadelphia Acupuncture Clinic.

Chief Medical Officer of Philadelphia Acupuncture Clinic Doctor Victor Tsan is specializing in OBGYN and he developed the most efficient protocol for acupuncture for vaginismus that covers all aspects of the mechanism of the development of this condition. Acupuncture for vaginismus, as a result, becomes, even more, effective. Also, Doctor Tsan is practicing clinical hypnosis and hypnotherapy, which for this condition perfectly compliment acupuncture for vaginismus.

To make an appointment for an initial FREE consultation and ask Doctor Tsan if acupuncture for vaginismus may help in your particular case call our clinic (267) 403-3085 or use our on-line scheduling system.