Does anyone have vaginismus and if so what methods are you using to deal with it?

I've had this condition now for over a year and it's driving me insane. I'm told it's caused by mental or emotional problems. I may have those problems but I don't want this condition and I adore my partner and we had a very active sex life before this happened.

It started off as vaginal dryness and then one day my vaagina closed and hasn't opened since. I had a radical hysterecomy a at 36, a young age which brought on menopause but I had natural lubrication until this vaginismus started.

Anyone with any methods of dealing with this?

Cheers

Rhia

Hi RhiannonsMoon.

Sorry to read that you're experiencing this distressing problem. It's not something I have, but I have heard about it, and you're right in that general consensus seems to be that it's caused by anxiety or other emotion-related reasons.

I found quite a lot of information about vaginismus on the Internet, and this explanation on a women's site, seems to be quite good.

http://www.empowher.com/media/reference/vaginismus

From what I read, treatment consists of a combination of counseling, education, and muscle exercises. Some doctors also prescribe a muscle relaxant or anti-depressant, while most would add a vaginal pessary and/or cream to help with the dryness.

I hope that helps some what.