Vaginal Atrophy
While vaginal atrophy and vaginismus are two different conditions, they are often interrelated. Vaginal atrophy is a medical condition that refers to the thinning and inflammation of the vaginal walls caused by decreased estrogen levels, often during menopause.
Vaginal atrophy typically leads to dryness, itching, and burning in the vaginal area, which can cause discomfort during sex and lead to vaginismus. One of the most common triggers of vaginismus is previous pain during sex.
Once vaginismus has been triggered, it can become a vicious cycle. The more pain a woman experiences during sex, the more likely she is to tense up her pelvic floor muscles to protect herself from further pain, making the situation worse.
Fortunately, there are treatments available for both vaginal atrophy and vaginismus. For vaginal atrophy, women can use special moisturizers or lubricants to alleviate dryness and discomfort. Female patients may also need to talk to a doctor about estrogen replacement therapy, which can replenish estrogen levels in the body. As for vaginismus, pelvic floor physical therapy is often recommended.
