Originally published on October 1, 2025 by Vital Physiotherapy & Wellness, now part of the Bravella Health network. Original author: Natasha Lad.
Maybe you’re a teen trying to use a tampon for the first time. Maybe a Pap smear had to be stopped because it was just too painful. Maybe you’re hoping to be intimate with a partner for the first time, or hoping to feel like yourself again in your body and relationships. Whatever brings you here, please hear this:
You are not broken.
This is not your fault.
You don’t have to live with this forever.
And no, it’s not “all in your head.”
Vaginismus is the involuntary spasming of the pelvic floor muscles in response to vaginal penetration.[1] It’s more common than many people realize, and yet it’s often misunderstood, under-discussed, and surrounded by silence. Here at Vital, we see you. We are ready to talk about this with honesty, compassion, and zero judgment. Because vaginismus isn’t just physical—it’s a condition that can bring up heavy emotions and fears about its implications.
What Is Vaginismus?
Vaginismus is a pelvic health condition where your pelvic floor muscles automatically tighten or spasm when vaginal penetration is attempted—whether by a tampon, finger, penis, or medical instrument.[1]
The experience of vaginismus symptoms varies from person to person. Some clients report that their muscles respond to all types of penetration. For others, they only experience symptoms in specific situations. Vaginismus can begin early in life or develop later on—sometimes after a specific event, or seemingly without any clear cause.[1] Clients report a range in the discomfort levels they experience—from mild to intense. Some describe it as a feeling of ‘hitting a wall’, or like insertion or penetration feels physically impossible. These are very common and very real experiences.
It is estimated that vaginismus affects 1–7% of women globally, but this number is likely underreported due to stigma, shame, and many women simply not knowing that help is available.[1,2]
What Causes Vaginismus?
There’s no one-size-fits-all explanation. Each person’s experience is shaped by many factors, and it’s not always possible to pinpoint just one cause.[1]
Common contributing factors include:
- Fear or anxiety around penetration or intercourse
- Past negative or painful sexual experiences
- Distressing medical exams or procedures
- A history of trauma, including sexual or emotional abuse
- Relationship challenges or pressure to be intimate
- Beliefs that create shame around sex
- Physical trauma from childbirth or surgery
- Hormonal changes, such as postpartum or perimenopause
- Pain worsened by infections like UTIs or yeast infections
Is There a Solution?
Yes!!! A wholehearted, hopeful yes.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a proven and effective treatment for vaginismus.[3,4] At Vital, we take a holistic, trauma-informed approach that honors your whole story—body, mind, and heart.
Here’s how we can support you:
- Help you connect with your pelvic floor muscles and learn how to release them
- Teach you to recognize tension and gradually let go of it
- Offer compassionate pain education to help you understand what’s happening in your body
- Gently assess the pelvic floor (with your consent and comfort always in mind)
- Create a safe, pressure-free environment for gradual exposure work, including dilators
- Provide tailored exercises and tools to practice at home
- Answer all your questions—nothing is off-limits, and nothing is “too much”
- Walk alongside you to build a care plan that makes sense for your goals
These approaches reflect the core components of pelvic floor physiotherapy for vaginismus described in the research.[3,4]
We believe deeply in collaboration. Many clients benefit from working with psychotherapists or sex therapists to help process emotional or trauma-related experiences. We will work together with your other practitioners as a team to support you with compassion and consistency.
Taking the First Step
Taking the first step toward treatment can feel emotional and overwhelming, but even reading this blog post means you’re already in the right place. When you’re ready to start your journey toward healing your vaginismus, know that you don’t have to do it alone. We are here to support you every step of the way.
If you’re ready to take that first step, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to help you gain confidence and feel empowered in your body again.
If you’re ready to take the next step, we’re here for you.
Let’s help you reconnect with your body, build confidence, and move toward a future with less fear and more freedom.
References
- Lahaie MA, Boyer SC, Amsel R, Khalifé S, Binik YM. Vaginismus: a review of the literature on the classification/diagnosis, etiology and treatment. Womens Health (Lond). 2010;6(5):705-719. doi:10.2217/whe.10.46
- Bulbuli AS, Kokate VA. Prevalence of vaginismus in reproductive age group: observational study. J South Asian Fed Obstet Gynaecol. 2024;16(2):198-201. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10006-2395
- Reissing ED, Armstrong HL, Allen C. Pelvic floor physical therapy for lifelong vaginismus: a retrospective chart review and interview study. J Sex Marital Ther. 2013;39(4):306-320. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23470141/
- Wallace SL, Miller LD, Mishra K. Pelvic floor physical therapy in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction in women. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2019;31(6):485-493. doi:10.1097/GCO.0000000000000584
