Vaginismus, which leads to painful intercourse, is a condition whereby a woman’s muscles around the opening of the vagina involuntarily contract or spasm when there is an attempt at penetration. This contraction makes any intimate activity involving the vagina impossible or very painful.

Painful intercourse, which is a functional problem, can greatly interfere with any woman’s quality of life, as well as their relationships if it’s not properly diagnosed and treated.

Causes of Painful Intercourse Due to Vaginismus

The main cause of painful intercourse is not yet known, but doctors have linked it to anxiety, past sexual trauma, fear of having sex or past painful intercourse. Sometimes Dyspareunia, which is the medical term for painful intercourse, is confused with Vaginismus although they are not the same. Dyspareunia comes about due to factors like pelvic inflammatory disease, cysts, or vaginal atrophy among others.

Symptoms of Painful Intercourse as a Result of Vaginismus

To date, there are different types of Vaginismus, which makes the symptoms vary from one to the next. Basic symptoms of painful intercourse due to vaginismus include:

1. Involuntary contraction of the vaginal muscles
2. Mild to severe pain of the vaginal muscles
3. Pain at first attempt of intercourse
4. General muscle spasms

Treatment Options for Vaginismus

The goal of treating Vaginismus is to lessen the vaginal muscle spasms and contractions. There are different ways this can be done, and it includes doing certain exercises and techniques.

At King’s College Hospital, our Aesthetic Gynecologists use Botox injections to treat Vaginismus. When the Botox is injected into the muscles, it will paralyze them, hence preventing them from contracting. The Botox injections allow for the initial relaxation and the absence of pain, which allows the body to become used to the sensations without contracting.

Are you a Candidate for Vaginismus Treatment?

To be eligible for treatment with Botox, you should:

• Be in good physical and emotional health
• Be experiencing painful contractions or spasms of the vaginal muscles
• Be free of any STI
• Have realistic expectations

Why You Should Choose King’s College Hospital Dubai

• Our Aesthetic Gynaecologists are the best in their field and have ample experience in Cosmetic Gynaecology.
• At King’s College Hospital, we have state-of-the-art facilities, and use the latest and minimally invasive techniques to achieve faster healing with the best results.
• At King’s College Hospital London, we focus on patient care, and safety in a compassionate environment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vaginismus Treatment

How many sessions will be needed?

The Botox usually wears off after 3-4 months. So, you might need a top up every 3-4 months. On the brighter side, the lack of pain can allow the body to get used to the sensation of not contracting. Your doctor will give you more information on this during consultation.

When will the results be visible?

The results are usually experienced after 7 to 10 days.

How long do the results last?

The results of the procedure can last for 3-4 months.

What is the cost of vaginismus treatment?

The cost of painful intercourse treatment with Botox is determined upon consultation with our board-certified aesthetic gynaecologist. This also depends on the nature of the patient’s needs, and the amount of Botox units used.