Kegel Exercises
Even though kegel exercise have been hyped up to be a cure for many pelvic and urological disorders in women, Kegel exercises only help less than 10% of women with vaginismus. These exercises can help relax the pelvic muscles and coordinate vaginal movements. Over time kegel exercises, do help one control vaginal muscles. However, many women lack compliance with kegel exercises because they do not believe it works
Vaginal Dilation Exercises
Vaginal dilation exercises are suggested using a variety of dilators. This exercise should initially be done under the direction of a sex therapist. Over time it should involve the partner. The treatment should also emphasize intimate contact and caring
Some women have a very tight vaginal orifice and may require gentle vaginal dilation exercises. These dilatation exercise can be done using the patients own fingers, plastic instruments called dilators or one may even use a dildo. The size of these instruments is gradually increased over time. One is also encouraged to perform kegel exercise with the dilators in the vagina. Use of dildos is highly recommended. Many women do improve with vaginal dilation exercises and incredibly prefer the dildo to the penis over time.
Once the patient is ready and feels relaxed, sexual intercourse can be attempted. While some women do respond to these vaginal dilatation exercises, others develop apprehension when a real penis is introduced. In these women, psychotherapy is encouraged, as the problem may be more emotional than physical.
Educational Treatment
While there may be a physical cause of vaginismus in some women, in the majority of women fear of the penis is a compounding problem. Thus, education and psychotherapy is vital. Women should be made to understand anatomy of the sexual organs and how sexual intercourse is attempted. The various taboos and myths about sexual and sexual organs have to be dispelled to enable one to enjoy sexual intercourse
Counseling
No matter how extensive physical treatments are undertaken, psychological counseling is a must in all these women. Psychological counseling can also help over come past sexual abuse or traumatic events
Prevention of Vaginismus
When a female finds sexual intercourse painful, it is important to seek help right away.The longer one delays help, the more agonizing the problem becomes for both partners.
Prevention of vaginismus starts in the bedroom. To help prevent vaginismus, it is essential that the female be honest with her partner and talk to him about her fears. Of course, it is essential that the partner be understanding and help out in the process. It is a time consuming process that can be overcome with support and understanding by both partners.
While exact numbers are not available, the majority of women can over come vaginismus. Ironically, some women do overcome the problem when they get a new male partner.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Vaginismus: Part 3
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of vaginismus is based on history and physical exam. A pelvic exam may give clue to the presence of vaginismus. Sometimes there may be a physical cause of vaginismus that may become evident on a physical exam. In some women, it may be impossible for the doctor to insert his finger or a speculum into the vagina. These women usually have no vaginal secretions, are apprehensive, and keep on tightening their legs. In severe cases of vaginismus, the physician may need to place the patient under some type of anesthesia or administer sedation.
It is vital that the health care professional rule out a physical cause of vaginismus. Once the physical causes have been ruled out, the treatment can be emphasized on the root psychological causes.
Treatment
Treatment of vaginismus is a prolonged process and there is no magic bullet. What should be understood from the beginning is that vaginismus treatment should be offered to both partners. Education and understanding of the pathology is vital. Different women respond to different treatments. The available treatments include psychotherapy, education and vaginal muscle exercises
The diagnosis of vaginismus is based on history and physical exam. A pelvic exam may give clue to the presence of vaginismus. Sometimes there may be a physical cause of vaginismus that may become evident on a physical exam. In some women, it may be impossible for the doctor to insert his finger or a speculum into the vagina. These women usually have no vaginal secretions, are apprehensive, and keep on tightening their legs. In severe cases of vaginismus, the physician may need to place the patient under some type of anesthesia or administer sedation.
It is vital that the health care professional rule out a physical cause of vaginismus. Once the physical causes have been ruled out, the treatment can be emphasized on the root psychological causes.
Treatment
Treatment of vaginismus is a prolonged process and there is no magic bullet. What should be understood from the beginning is that vaginismus treatment should be offered to both partners. Education and understanding of the pathology is vital. Different women respond to different treatments. The available treatments include psychotherapy, education and vaginal muscle exercises
Vaginismus: Part 2
Vaginismus is classified into two categories- primary and secondary. In primary vaginismus, women have never had successful sexual intercourse primary due to pain or apprehension about pain from penile penetration. The symptoms are variable. Some women only find penetration painful but can have an intimate relationship. In others, even the thought of being intimate is associated with painful spasms. These women also have a great deal of difficulty in undergoing routine medical procedures like the pap smear and a pelvic exam. In secondary vaginismus, women have had successful sexual intercourse in the past but now have developed vaginismus.
Risk Factors
Why does Vaginismus occur? While the exact cause is unknown, there are several risk factors that can lead to the disorder. This includes:
- prior history of sexual abuse
- prior history of sexual trauma (rape)
- a frightening experience during a pelvic medical
examination in childhood
- Painful first intercourse
- Difficulty with interpersonal Relationships
- Sexual inhibition
- Sexual taboos in family
- Not wanting to become pregnant
- Prior painful episode associated with an infection,
surgery
- Superstitious beliefs about sex and sexual organs
Symptoms
Not all women have the same degree of vaginismus. The severity is variable. However, in general most women are not able to have sexual intercourse without feeling pain. There are some women who experience pain during a pelvic exam, insertion of a tampon or even insertion of a vaginal suppository. A few women just cannot accept the fact that a penis can enter the vagina without causing pain. This leads to apprehension and pain.
Risk Factors
Why does Vaginismus occur? While the exact cause is unknown, there are several risk factors that can lead to the disorder. This includes:
- prior history of sexual abuse
- prior history of sexual trauma (rape)
- a frightening experience during a pelvic medical
examination in childhood
- Painful first intercourse
- Difficulty with interpersonal Relationships
- Sexual inhibition
- Sexual taboos in family
- Not wanting to become pregnant
- Prior painful episode associated with an infection,
surgery
- Superstitious beliefs about sex and sexual organs
Symptoms
Not all women have the same degree of vaginismus. The severity is variable. However, in general most women are not able to have sexual intercourse without feeling pain. There are some women who experience pain during a pelvic exam, insertion of a tampon or even insertion of a vaginal suppository. A few women just cannot accept the fact that a penis can enter the vagina without causing pain. This leads to apprehension and pain.
Who do i feel pain during intercourse: Vaginismus?
Despite what men think, painful intercourse or vaginismus is quite common in women. Because many women remain shy or fear embarrassment, medical help is never sought. This is very unfortunate because there is some type of help available for this agonizing disorder. Painful intercourse is known as vaginismus. Vaginismus is best described as uncontrolled involuntary spasms of vaginal muscles. The vaginal spasms occur generally during sexual activity and are associated with pain. However, there are times when the female develops vaginal spasms even prior to penetration- this is believed to be due to fear.
The muscle spasms can be so intense that intercourse can be painful and very unpleasant. In severe cases of vaginismus, the very sight of the penis next to the vagina leads to apprehension and difficulty with penetration. The disorder is somewhat difficult to understand but is thought to have both physical and emotional reasons as the cause.
Estimates from sexual dysfunction clinics reveal that about 2% of women in North America have this disorder. The disorder can lead to severe pain during sexual intercourse and often leads to emotional torment. Women who have this disorder feel extremely guilty and both partners remain unsatisfied sexually. In the long run, vaginismus often leads to dissatisfaction and discord in marital relationships. Over time, both partners develop frustration, anger, and depression.
Why vaginismus occurs is not always clear but is believed to be a response to past traumatic sexual events or other interrelated situations. In many women, no cause is ever found.
The muscle spasms can be so intense that intercourse can be painful and very unpleasant. In severe cases of vaginismus, the very sight of the penis next to the vagina leads to apprehension and difficulty with penetration. The disorder is somewhat difficult to understand but is thought to have both physical and emotional reasons as the cause.
Estimates from sexual dysfunction clinics reveal that about 2% of women in North America have this disorder. The disorder can lead to severe pain during sexual intercourse and often leads to emotional torment. Women who have this disorder feel extremely guilty and both partners remain unsatisfied sexually. In the long run, vaginismus often leads to dissatisfaction and discord in marital relationships. Over time, both partners develop frustration, anger, and depression.
Why vaginismus occurs is not always clear but is believed to be a response to past traumatic sexual events or other interrelated situations. In many women, no cause is ever found.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Herbs and Menopause: Part 2
Black cohosh has been widely used in northern Europe for more than 2 decades and has recently become popular in North America. However, even the European data indicates that Black cohosh does not work in all women and even today, there are no scientific data on its clinical benefits. However, the product is safe. The North American Menopause Society does supports short-term use of black cohosh for treating menopausal symptoms because it seems to have a low risk of side effects when used for up to six months. However, the long-term effects of black cohosh remain unknown. Some recent studies have found that the herb does not reduce hot flashes any better than a placebo.
Miscellaneous: There are numerous other herbs and dietary supplements available that have been postulated to treat menopausal symptoms- many females swear that these supplements work. These products include dong quai, licorice, chasteberry, evening primrose oil, and wild yam (natural progesterone cream). Even though these products have been around for more than 2 decades, there is no scientific data to back any of the claims made by women users or the manufacturers. A few of these products have also been found to contain contaminants and there are even reports of fake products.
The problem with the herbal and nutrient industry is that there is very little quality control. The same product contains different ingredients when bought in a different store. No one seems to know if these additional ingredients are safe and how long they should be consumed. We have already had many surprises from China regarding food contaminants.The consumer should be aware that the majority of these herbal supplements come from the Orient- where fakes and counterfeits products are the norm.
Before one starts to take a whole range of products with unknown ingredients, be sure to consult your doctor. There definitely are some herbs, which are useful, but the question is which one. In the end, like all things in life, the adage buyer beware should be well heeded.
Miscellaneous: There are numerous other herbs and dietary supplements available that have been postulated to treat menopausal symptoms- many females swear that these supplements work. These products include dong quai, licorice, chasteberry, evening primrose oil, and wild yam (natural progesterone cream). Even though these products have been around for more than 2 decades, there is no scientific data to back any of the claims made by women users or the manufacturers. A few of these products have also been found to contain contaminants and there are even reports of fake products.
The problem with the herbal and nutrient industry is that there is very little quality control. The same product contains different ingredients when bought in a different store. No one seems to know if these additional ingredients are safe and how long they should be consumed. We have already had many surprises from China regarding food contaminants.The consumer should be aware that the majority of these herbal supplements come from the Orient- where fakes and counterfeits products are the norm.
Before one starts to take a whole range of products with unknown ingredients, be sure to consult your doctor. There definitely are some herbs, which are useful, but the question is which one. In the end, like all things in life, the adage buyer beware should be well heeded.
Can I take Herbs to treat menopause?
Almost everyone has had enough with conventional medicine and doctors. Today, there is a big surge among consumers seeking alternative care for their medical problems. One such problem is menopause- which has never been satisfactorily treated with traditional medical drugs. So the question is, "do herbs and supplements help treat menopause"?
Today there are many herbs that are touted to help treat symptoms of menopause. Some of the herbs and supplements include:
Phytoestrogens: There are certain vegetable foods that are known to contain phytoestrogens (similar to the female sex hormone-estrogen). There are two main types of phytoestrogens — isoflavones and lignans. Isoflavones have been found in soybeans, chickpeas and peas. Lignans have been found in flaxseeds, whole grains and some fruits and vegetables. Researchers in the Orient first noticed that women in that part of the World had very mild menopausal symptoms and a much lower incidence of heart disease and osteoporosis. It was later discovered that their diet was rich in Phytoestrogens which possibly provided the protective effect. However, addition of isoflavones to western diets has not been found to be effective at least in the short-term and longer-term follow up is required. There has also been a concern that high estrogen levels after menopause may be associated with an increased incidence of breast cancer. So far, the data on soy products remains unknown and all reports remain anecdotal. However, research on this topic is ongoing.
Vitamin E has been widely postulated to diminish symptoms of menopause. It's effects are claimed to be immediate. However, clinical reports on vitamin E and menopausal symptoms are scant and the supplement only seems to work in a few people. There are many people who take mega doses of vitamin E and see no difference in their menopausal symptoms.
As to why Vitamin E does not work in all women remains a mystery. Some nutritionists recommend higher doses of vitamin E in women who do not respond to the low dose of vitamin E. However, the FDA strongly advises against taking more than 400 IU of this vitamin because of the potential for serous toxicity.
Today there are many herbs that are touted to help treat symptoms of menopause. Some of the herbs and supplements include:
Phytoestrogens: There are certain vegetable foods that are known to contain phytoestrogens (similar to the female sex hormone-estrogen). There are two main types of phytoestrogens — isoflavones and lignans. Isoflavones have been found in soybeans, chickpeas and peas. Lignans have been found in flaxseeds, whole grains and some fruits and vegetables. Researchers in the Orient first noticed that women in that part of the World had very mild menopausal symptoms and a much lower incidence of heart disease and osteoporosis. It was later discovered that their diet was rich in Phytoestrogens which possibly provided the protective effect. However, addition of isoflavones to western diets has not been found to be effective at least in the short-term and longer-term follow up is required. There has also been a concern that high estrogen levels after menopause may be associated with an increased incidence of breast cancer. So far, the data on soy products remains unknown and all reports remain anecdotal. However, research on this topic is ongoing.
Vitamin E has been widely postulated to diminish symptoms of menopause. It's effects are claimed to be immediate. However, clinical reports on vitamin E and menopausal symptoms are scant and the supplement only seems to work in a few people. There are many people who take mega doses of vitamin E and see no difference in their menopausal symptoms.
As to why Vitamin E does not work in all women remains a mystery. Some nutritionists recommend higher doses of vitamin E in women who do not respond to the low dose of vitamin E. However, the FDA strongly advises against taking more than 400 IU of this vitamin because of the potential for serous toxicity.
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