So, let's get down to business...
Okay, so...lots of things to get around talking about and linking to.
Pretty soon, I am going to post a poll about which of my visitors has vag., which think they might, which used to, and which are outsiders and thusly envious of our clearly superior status. But, for now, I don't have any visitors, as I feel I should have some information, links, or something of value before I get so bold as to actually send people here. So why don't we get started with that.
Let's Talk about Sex, baby.
Treatment Options-- Vaginismus is a serious problem, but by no means an insurmountable one. In fact, somewhere in the 90th percentile of people treated are eventually cured, according to various sources. Realizing this, it's difficult to understand how so many of us find ourselves suffering for years and years, with various treatments going unsuccessful. To my mind, the trick is to identify what plan of attack fits you best. Common means of treatment are as follows:
*Consulting a Sex Therapist to work out emotional issues. It's also likely that they will use or recommend any number of other treatments, including.
*Dilators. For those of you who have never heard of dilators, these hateful little things tend to be the backbone of any Vaginismus treatment regiment. A series of...well, dildos, basically, that start small and then gradually increase in size, the idea behind them is that they "train" the vagina to accept objects without going into spasm. The problem with them is that, so often, without other forms of treatment, they are useless-- one often needs a professional to demonstrate how to use them, or a coach to assist in the emotional side of using them, or, like in my case, one may need a great deal of other treatment before they could get to the point where they could use them at all.
*Hypnotherapy is often used, though, to be honest, I've never heard of anyone getting cured via this method. And I don't have a lot of information available yet. Will let you know when I come across some. And please let me and others know via comments if you've got any, as well.
*Physical Therapy. This one actually came as a shock to me, but it was the one I was the most comfortable with the idea of, and it's the one I'm using today. There are physical therapists out there who specialize in pelvic floor dysfunction, and they can be one of the biggest helps. I found my physical therapist, the awesome Karen L., through the 'find a provider' section of the International Pelvic Pain Soceity Website. Yes, you heard that right. Pelvic Pain has it's own international soceity. How'd you like to crash one of their swinging parties?
*Etc. Etc. is a great means of treatment. In this category, you will find things like audio tapes such as the ones you can find at vaginismuscure.com (see mini-review below), herbal medications and pills to help relax, and good ol' masturbation therapy. I don't know too much about that one, either, but I'm willing to learn. Also, when all you think you need to get started is a healthy dose of support and vodka, check out online support groups, or your local liquor store. Yahoo's Egroups host more than a 10 (by which I mean "11") groups dedicated to, or at least vaguely related to, the subject. I personally belong to Vaginismus, 1Vaginismus and, my personal favorite, Primary Vaginismus.
And now for one last obligatory shout-out: Hi, Mom!
I think I'll let this post rest on it's laurels for the time being, while I dig up so more groovy info and links. Leave me a message if you see this, and, oh, Merry Christmas. You know, Again.
Pretty soon, I am going to post a poll about which of my visitors has vag., which think they might, which used to, and which are outsiders and thusly envious of our clearly superior status. But, for now, I don't have any visitors, as I feel I should have some information, links, or something of value before I get so bold as to actually send people here. So why don't we get started with that.
Let's Talk about Sex, baby.
Treatment Options-- Vaginismus is a serious problem, but by no means an insurmountable one. In fact, somewhere in the 90th percentile of people treated are eventually cured, according to various sources. Realizing this, it's difficult to understand how so many of us find ourselves suffering for years and years, with various treatments going unsuccessful. To my mind, the trick is to identify what plan of attack fits you best. Common means of treatment are as follows:
*Consulting a Sex Therapist to work out emotional issues. It's also likely that they will use or recommend any number of other treatments, including.
*Dilators. For those of you who have never heard of dilators, these hateful little things tend to be the backbone of any Vaginismus treatment regiment. A series of...well, dildos, basically, that start small and then gradually increase in size, the idea behind them is that they "train" the vagina to accept objects without going into spasm. The problem with them is that, so often, without other forms of treatment, they are useless-- one often needs a professional to demonstrate how to use them, or a coach to assist in the emotional side of using them, or, like in my case, one may need a great deal of other treatment before they could get to the point where they could use them at all.
*Hypnotherapy is often used, though, to be honest, I've never heard of anyone getting cured via this method. And I don't have a lot of information available yet. Will let you know when I come across some. And please let me and others know via comments if you've got any, as well.
*Physical Therapy. This one actually came as a shock to me, but it was the one I was the most comfortable with the idea of, and it's the one I'm using today. There are physical therapists out there who specialize in pelvic floor dysfunction, and they can be one of the biggest helps. I found my physical therapist, the awesome Karen L., through the 'find a provider' section of the International Pelvic Pain Soceity Website. Yes, you heard that right. Pelvic Pain has it's own international soceity. How'd you like to crash one of their swinging parties?
*Etc. Etc. is a great means of treatment. In this category, you will find things like audio tapes such as the ones you can find at vaginismuscure.com (see mini-review below), herbal medications and pills to help relax, and good ol' masturbation therapy. I don't know too much about that one, either, but I'm willing to learn. Also, when all you think you need to get started is a healthy dose of support and vodka, check out online support groups, or your local liquor store. Yahoo's Egroups host more than a 10 (by which I mean "11") groups dedicated to, or at least vaguely related to, the subject. I personally belong to Vaginismus, 1Vaginismus and, my personal favorite, Primary Vaginismus.
And now for one last obligatory shout-out: Hi, Mom!
I think I'll let this post rest on it's laurels for the time being, while I dig up so more groovy info and links. Leave me a message if you see this, and, oh, Merry Christmas. You know, Again.
posted by Elle Emaitch (A pseudonym-- first name is Linda) @ 7:02 PM
3 Comments:
At January 2, 2005 at 12:51 AM,
Elle Emaitch (A pseudonym-- first name is Linda) said…
Thanks, JeriBeri.
I'd also like to address the concerns of another reader, who takes issue with my description of dilators.
As I'm sure many of you have already realize, my point in calling them "hateful little things" was simply to voice the frustration so many of us feel during dilator treatment. I do not mean, in any way, to argue with the testimony of many physicians and physical therapists who think that they are an absolutely essential part of treating vaginismus.
I just happen to hate them, is all. But, hey, why listen to me? I'm some chick who can't even have sex!
At January 2, 2005 at 3:01 PM,
Elle Emaitch (A pseudonym-- first name is Linda) said…
My personal issue with Physical Therapy: I am currently in physical therapy, however I cannot get anything-- not a Dilator, finger, tampon or even a Q-tip inside. And when my physical therapist has tried, my emotional issues come through too strongly for there to be progress. Thusly, she has recommended that before I see her again, I start seeing a sex therapist.
*Sigh*
JeriBeri,
When you first started, was your physical therapist able to insert her finger in you? Did you have a strong emotional reaction?
On an unrelated note, I am just now realizing that I never followed up on that mini-review of that Vaginismuscure.com tapes. Take in mind that I have never heard them myself, but I've read quite a few reviews, and people seem to agree on the following:
The tapes are kind of helpful, but poorly recorded-- the idea is to listen to them while relaxing, and many women find the errors that the narrator made while speaking to be jarring, making it hard for them to really get deeply into it. The most progress I've heard of from people using these tapes is that they gain the courage to put a finger in. This is not to be taken lightly, though, as that can be a very very critical first step. For someone like me who, as a aforementioned, can't get anything in, being able to get my finger up there would definitely help speed my progress quite a bit.
At January 2, 2005 at 10:43 PM,
Elle Emaitch (A pseudonym-- first name is Linda) said…
JeriBeri--
Thanks for being concerned about promoting your own stuff, but I just want women to see have every possible resource available to them. Is it alright if I mention your journal in a post? I don't know how many people venture into the comments section.
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