Your first menstruation is a rite
of passage that can come with unexpected experiences. Some girls may experience
mood changes, breast tenderness, cramping or pain. It is a time of unknowns, in
terms of what is the best way to take care of yourself and what products are
best to use.
It is in these early years that
girls may first try using a tampon with some reservations on how to use it.
Thankfully, girls now have a variety of ways to access information about the
use of tampons. These include parents, friends, internet, you tubes, books,
etc.
For a select group of girls, the
first few attempts at using a tampon doesn’t go well. There could be one of two
reasons for this. First, the young girl may get the tampon inside but is so
uncomfortable she has to take it out. The second is that she tries to insert
the tampon despite discomfort but, simply cannot physically get it in. This is
when she may abandon the idea of using tampons.
Most young girls do not think to
seek medical advice as to why tampons are a problem to use, likely due to
embarrassment or not knowing this can be an early sign of pelvic floor
dysfunction.
The next life event that these
girls encounter a potential problem with is intercourse. In many cases these
girls don’t link their discomfort with tampons to their current pain with
intercourse. A majority of ladies I see, simply avoid the pain by avoided
tampons and intercourse.
It is not until they get married,
meet someone special or want to have children that they start to seek answers
to their problem. Most often these girls start their journey by talking to
their family doctors. I have noticed in the past couple years more doctors are
aware of this problem and can recommend appropriate treatment but not every doctor
is familiar with the following diagnoses and treatment options available.
So let’s dive into the two more
common diagnoses. Just before, I wanted to explain the reason I started with
tampons rather than sex is because problems with using a tampon can be a risk factor for
problems with intercourse.
So let's talk diagnoses, the first possible diagnosis is called dyspareunia, which is recurrent or persistent discomfort with attempts
at or during intercourse/penetration. There are 2 subcategories of dyspareunia.
a)
Primary: meaning this pain/discomfort is present
at the first attempt at penetration/intercourse
b)
Secondary: pain with intercourse/penetration
develops after a trauma, such as tearing from childbirth or surgery.
The second diagnosis is called
vaginismus. This is a term used by Dr. Marion Sims in 1862 to describe a
reflex-like contraction of the muscles around the vagina and perineum. Simply
put, penetration/intercourse is not possible because the muscles around the
entrance of the vagina spasm, closing the opening. Partners will often note, “It’s
like hitting a wall.”
Either of these two situations can
be very concerning for a young woman. Often times these women think there is
something wrong with them and that somehow this is their fault. This simply is
not true. There are many different reasons this can happen.
Finding a physician who is familiar
with dyspareunia and vaginismus is helpful to rule out other causes for the
pain/discomfort but also important in making sure you are given the right
diagnosis. This article is not intended to diagnose you but to give you
awareness of possibilities so that you can have a more informed discussion with
your healthcare provider.
Finding a pelvic health
physiotherapist is an important addition to your recovery. They will help you
understand your condition and will provide treatment/resources to put you on
the path of a fulfilling sex life.
Having a sex therapist/sexologist
can also be very helpful on this healing journey. It is usually a
multidisciplinary approach to make sure the physical and mental/emotional
aspects are addressed.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR FEEDBACK REGARDING PAINFUL SEXUAL EXPERIENCES. TOTALLY ANONYMOUS. PLEASE CONSIDER OUR SURVEY www.ecophysio.com/survey
Thanks for reading,
The Pelvic Health Lady
WE ARE LOOKING FOR FEEDBACK REGARDING PAINFUL SEXUAL EXPERIENCES. TOTALLY ANONYMOUS. PLEASE CONSIDER OUR SURVEY www.ecophysio.com/survey
Thanks for reading,
The Pelvic Health Lady
Reference: Lamont, J. 2011.
Dyspareunia and Vaginismus. Glob.libr.women’s med. www.glowm.com, accessed on July 3, 2017.