Vaginismus Treatment
Vaginal treatment involves the injection of a form of muscle relaxant. The muscle relaxant is injected into multiple specific points in the tight, spasmed lower vaginal muscles. The muscle relaxant acts as a selective muscle weakening and/or paralysing agent, and helps reduce nerve pain.
The effect is reversible but provides a temporary window of opportunity to rehabilitate and stretch the over contracted spastic vaginal muscles that are obstructing penetration. Very small needles are used to inject muscle relaxant into the three key vagina muscles that can obstruct penetration. Only the areas in the vaginal side walls that are palpably spasmed and sore are injected. Once these muscles can no longer tighten, it is usually possible to have comfortable intercourse. Once a woman experiences sex without pain, she can relax and begins to enjoy it. The vaginal muscles can then stretch and start to relax of their own accord.
Filler takes approximately 10 days to begin to work. By week 1-2 post injection it will be starting to have its effect on the muscle which will then reach a plateau at around a month post injection.
Usually, once the muscles have been relaxed, no further treatments are required, although some women benefit from a second or third treatment to fully and permanently relax their pelvic floor and vaginal muscles.
Sometimes treatment it is unsuccessful and some do not respond, in some cases is needed only one treatment and in some repeated treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
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For the vast majority of women, there are no noticeable side effects of vaginal filler. The potential for a small muscle haematoma or infection exists, as with all procedures where a needle is used.
There are case reports in the literature of bladder or bowel urgency or difficulty with controlling wind or incontinence. No filler injected near the rectum or urethra so the risk of these side effects is minimal. One article reported a case of vaginal dryness due to a parasympathetic partial nerve block. As the effects of filler only last 12 weeks, these rare side effects are completely reversible.
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Unlike with using toxins for facial wrinkles, once the spasmed vaginal muscles are released often only one or two treatments are required.
The muscles re-learn their previous relaxed state, intercourse is more comfortable and therefore continuing spasm is far less likely.