Vajinusmuslu Kadınlarda Cinsel İşlev Ve Doyum / Sexual Function And Satisfaction of Women With Vaginismus

Abstract

Sexual function and satisfaction of women with vaginismus Objective: Vaginismus is one of the sexual dysfunctions that affects couples' sexual life. There is a common opinion that women with vaginismus have a satisfied sexual life even there is no vaginal entry. But contrary to this opinion, several studies reported that sexual function and satisfaction of women with vaginismus were impaired. In our study, our purpose was to evaluate sexual function and satisfaction in women with vaginismus and to compare the findings with that of healty women's. Method: Forty women with vaginismus who referred to Sexual Dysfunction Therapy Outpatient Unit and fifty healthy voluntary women who had no sexual complaint participated in the study. Questionnaire regarding demographic characteristics, Symptom Check List (SCL-90 R), Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) were evaluated. Results: It was found that women with vaginismus avoided sexual intercourse, were more emotional and needed approval more frequently. Also, vaginismus history was more frequent in their family and among close relatives. They found inadequate their and their partners' level of sexual knowledge. They had typical fears and they had problems in all other domains of sexual function as well as the vaginal entry. There were statistically significant differences in GRISS vaginismus, avoidance, satisfaction, frequency, lack of orgasm subscales and total GRISS score between vaginismus and control groups. Conclusions: Unlike general opinion, women with vaginismus have problems in many domains of sexual function. We think that it would be inadequate if vaginismus is considered only a problem of vaginal entry, that all domains of sexual function, avoidance and enviromental factors should be evaluated together.

Vaginismus in Iran: A Single Center Report of 7 Years Experience

“…This finding is in concordance with reports from different cultural societies, as Eserdag et al (14) and Konkan et al (10) reported similar results, from Turkey and London, respectively. Therefore, reluctance of the couples to share such a problem, with their more experienced relatives would alarm us about the formation of a vicious circle that more deeply complicates the problem.…”

“…A study from Netherlands also reported similar results, with mean age of about 29 for their women with vaginismus (9). However, a study from Britain, by Konkan et al (10), also reported a lower age for women with vaginismus, with mean age of 24.9 years for their patient population. This result is consistent with a report by Ghazizadeh et al (11), in another report from Iran.…”

“…The long time duration of symptoms, without attending a doctor, can be explained by shyness to consult for such an issue with someone else, a belief of spontaneous improvement of the illness with cooperation of the couple, disappointment of finding a successful treatment, absence of special centers for sexual complaints or being unaware of their existence, or a combination of the mentioned factors. It is worthy to note that the more vaginismus becomes a chronic issue, the more it would be harder to treat (10). The reason for this situation is the development of secondary sexual complications, including erection disorder in the husband and female, sexual desire disorders, depression and anxiety disorders.…”

Determination of Dyadic Adjustment, Marriage and Sexual Satisfaction as Risk Factors for Women with Lifelong Vaginismus: A Case Control Study

“…The results of the studies evaluating the sexual functionality of women with vaginismus other than being unable to achieve sexual intercourse are quite different. In the present study, it was stated that sexual satisfaction of vaginismus patients was quite low compared to the general population and control groups, in accordance with recent studies in Turkey (Doğan et al, 2018; Karaguzel et al, 2016; Konkan et al, 2012). On the other hand, contrary to our study, 69% of the women with vaginismus experienced orgasm (Lamont, 1978) and they may have satisfactory sexual relationships (Leiblum, 2000).…”

“…Finding sexuality and genitals as disgusting and negative attitude toward sexuality (Munasinghe et al, 2004; Ward & Ogden, 1994), fear of penetration (Fugl-Meyer et al, 2013), avoidance and disgust (Borg et al, 2012; Lahaie et al, 2015), sexual dysfunction of partners (Binik et al, 2007; Doğan & Saraçoğlu, 2009), having various negative thoughts and images about sexuality (Farnam et al, 2014), and self-insecurity of women with vaginismus and feelings of inadequacy (Ter Kuile et al, 2013) have been associated with vaginismus. In addition, it has been reported that women with vaginismus avoid sexual intercourse, have sexual functionality problems, and decreased sexual satisfaction (Doğan & Saraçoğlu, 2009; Konkan et al, 2012; Tuğrul & Kabakci, 1997). Contrary to these studies, there is a report that women with vaginismus have sufficient sexual repertoire and sexual satisfaction (Hawton & Catalan, 1990).…”