Congenital Abnormalities
Different congenital abnormalities may result in vaginismus. They include the vulvovaginal septum, imperforate hymen, and transverse vaginal septum. Each of these abnormalities can cause different symptoms and side effects.
A vulvovaginal septum is a thin wall of tissue that divides the vagina into two separate chambers. This rare congenital abnormality occurs in only about 1% of female births. Symptoms of a vulvovaginal septum may include pain during sex, difficulty becoming aroused, and an inability to reach orgasm.
An imperforate hymen is a congenital disability in which the hymen is either missing or has a small opening that doesn’t allow for menstrual flow. Symptoms of an imperforate hymen may include difficulty inserting tampons or menstrual cups, pain during sexual intercourse, and abdominal pain during menstruation.
Transverse vaginal septum is a congenital abnormality in which the vagina is divided into two separate chambers by a tissue wall. This condition is relatively rare, occurring in only about 1% of female births. Symptoms of a transverse vaginal septum may include pain during sex, difficulty becoming aroused, and an inability to reach orgasm.
