Recently, Meghan Trainor confessed to not with the ability to stroll after intercourse on a podcast. For the longest time, the Made You Look singer thought she had a “tiny” vagina whereas her husband, actor Daryl Sabara, was “well endowed”. “I was told I have something called vaginismus,” she revealed on the Workin’ On It podcast.

Explaining the situation, Dr Uma Vaidyanathan, senior marketing consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fortis Hospital, says, “Whenever penetration is attempted, the vaginal muscles tighten up and the partner gets a feeling of ‘hitting a wall’.” Explaining how one can inform if they've the situation, she provides, “If there is pain during vaginal penetration(even with tampon) and inability to have sex or a pelvic exam.” Dr Gunjan Bhola, affiliate director, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Marengo Asia Hospitals, provides, “It is a relatively common and under-diagnosed condition, as every three out of four women go through painful sex at some point in their lives.”

There are two forms of vaginismus — main and secondary. In main vaginismus, a lady is unable to have interaction in pain-free intercourse attributable to muscular contraction. “In secondary vaginismus, one has had sex before but is unable to do so later,” informs Dr Anjali Kumar, director, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, CK Birla Hospital.

Who’s in danger?

Any lady can expertise vaginismus at any age. Some of the bodily danger elements embrace current childbirth, members of the family with related situations, a historical past of urinary tract infections (UTIs), or yeast infections. The psychological and social signs are: trauma attributable to sexual assault or childhood sexual abuse; trauma from a medical process involving vaginal insertion; or trauma ensuing from completely different socio-economic elements.

“I came across a case years ago where penetrative sex was painful in a newly married couple. It created strife in their marriage. When I tried to examine her in OPD, she didn’t let me touch her. I felt it was probably a tough, thick hymen that was causing the problem. We had to examine her under anesthesia and do a hymenectomy. Later, we taught her how to use vaginal dilators. Gradually with counseling and a very supportive partner, her discomfort disappeared. She is now a happy mother of two beautiful children,” shares Dr Vaidyanathan. Also, Dr. Bhola shares that she has seen {couples} who even after being married for 3 years didn’t have intercourse even as soon as due to vaginismus.

‘It’s normalised’

Plenty of stigma surrounds vaginismus, because it’s thought of a delicate matter. “Painful sex for women is normalised not only in India but around the world,” says Dr Kumar. Agreeing, Dr Vaidyanathan says, “Women are conditioned into believing that they will outgrow painful sex over time.” “Women are not open about their sexual problems. In most cases, it doesn’t matter to the husband whether his partner is in pain or discomfort. Also, in terms of pleasure, it’s a general belief that the male counterpart should be satisfied,” says Dr. Usha Priyambada, Sr. Consultant - Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Asian Hospital.

The answer

Proper counselling, vaginal dilator coaching and non-judgmental angle of the carer are essential to therapy. “After diagnosis, treatments focus on managing negative emotions related to penetration. Also, pelvic floor exercises help patients regain control of their vaginal muscles. The treatment has a success rate of more than 95%,” says Dr Bhola.

Myths about vaginismus:

-It’s all within the thoughts

-People who don’t like intercourse expertise ache

-The ache will go away

-It’s a standard situation that doesn’t want any therapy

-Only somebody who has by no means had intercourse could have it