Childbirth Injuries
Childbirth is incredibly difficult and physically demanding for both the baby and the mother. The baby must pass through the small opening of the birth canal, only about 10 centimeters wide. Pushing the baby out can cause tears in the vagina and surrounding tissues. These tears are usually minor and heal quickly on their own. However, in some cases, the tears can be significant enough to cause long-term damage, including vaginismus.
In addition, childbirth injuries can result in vaginismus in two ways, either directly or indirectly. The direct way is when the injury itself causes vaginismus. For example, if a woman sustains a third-degree laceration during childbirth, the scar tissue that forms can cause her vaginal muscles to tighten involuntarily. Additionally, if the pelvic floor muscles are damaged during childbirth, it can lead to vaginismus.
The indirect way that childbirth injuries can contribute to vaginismus is through psychological trauma. For example, if a woman had a traumatic birth experience or developed posttraumatic stress disorder after giving birth, it can lead to vaginismus.
