If you’ve got frown lines and wrinkles, then you may have considered talking to your GP about Botox treatment. However, did you know that suffers of the painful condition vaginismus may also see relief from the same ingredients within Botox?
What is Vaginismus?
Vaginismus is a painful condition that causes muscle spasms in a woman’s pelvic floor muscles. As a result of these spasms, sexual intercourse, gynaecological exams, and tampon insertion can be both painful and challenging.
During any of these activities, a woman’s pelvic floor muscles can tighten up and contract. Muscle spasms, pain, and even temporary cessation of breathing can follow. The most commonly affected muscles are those that are used for childbirth, bowel movements, urination, sex, and orgasm.
Not only can experiencing these problems lead to frustration but significant pain and discomfort. The condition can even worsen over time.
The Types of Vaginismus
There is no single type of this condition that affects all women. Instead, there are four common ones. Primary vaginismus is one that some women experience for their lifetime up until treatment. It can inhibit gynaecological exams and sex. Women may notice muscle spasms, pain, and a temporary cessation of breathing.
Secondary vaginismus, however, can affect women who previously enjoyed normal sexual function. They may have developed it after menopause, a traumatic event, childbirth, infection, a relationship issue, or surgery.
Women with global vaginismus experience pain and discomfort with any object, while situational vaginismus occurs in some situations. For example, they may not experience pain, spasms, or discomfort during tampon insertion, but during sex, instead.
Botox as Treatment for Vaginismus
While treatment options for vaginismus are as wide and varied as the condition itself, there’s one thing that has been proving its worth in FDA-approved clinical trials for testing – and that’s Botox. According to New Hampshire plastic surgeon Dr. Peter T. Pacik, Botox has been helpful for women who experience both muscle constriction during sex and burning sensations.
According to Dr. Pacik, vaginal conditions such as vaginismus affect around six percent of women. Often, they can be caused by a rigid upbringing or even sexual abuse. Involuntary spasms in the vaginal muscles can then inhibit a healthy sex life going forward.
In his clinical trial, Dr. Pacik used the active ingredient found in Botox, Botulinum Toxin A, and injected it into the entrance of the vagina. It worked by interrupting nerve impulses and allowing the vaginal muscles to relax.
According to Dr. Pacik, after treatment, many women felt relaxed and were able to have sex with their partners. By 2011, he had been able to treat 78 women successfully. Since then, Botox as a treatment option for vaginismus has taken off.
Several women have called this treatment option life-changing. It has allowed them to become closer to their partners, while also removing the inhibiting muscle spasms and related symptoms that can make intimacy challenging. If you believe that Botox as a treatment option for vaginismus could work for you, then speak to your GP.