Vaginismus

Abstract

Eighty patients with vaginismus were seen in the Human Sexuality Clinic, McMaster University Medical Center, between 1972 and 1976. The diagnosis was made based on history and physical demonstration of perineal muscular spasm. The patients were classified according to the presenting complaint as well as to the degree of muscle spasm experienced at the time of physical examination. In the management of these patients, relaxation, self and mutual pleasuring exercises, Kegel exercises, and physical examination played an important role in successful treatment. Certain male problems were identified during treatment, including situational impotence and premature ejaculation. In our series the women who chose to be treated without an involved partner had comparable success rates to those choosing conjoint therapy. With the use of the combination of available techniques with special emphasis on the pelvic assessment as an educational experience for the patient, good success can be obtained in treating vaginismus with the conjoint approach or office management of the woman alone.