Healing from Vaginismus: A Trauma-Informed Approach
Painful sex is not something you just 'live with.' If your body is reacting with muscle contractions, it is a protective response—not a defect. We are here to help you heal.
What is vaginismus? Our vaginismus coach explains how this condition is a protective response from the body, where vaginal muscles involuntarily contract. This video breaks down the basics and touches on the connection between trauma and vaginismus.
Our therapist and vaginismus expert, Sneha Chauhan, explains how the body remembers experiences and how psychological wounds can manifest as physical conditions like vaginismus. She discusses various triggers, from fear-based sex education to past trauma.
Vaginismus is often a response to trauma, whether it's from direct abuse, witnessing violence, or even hearing distressing news. Our vaginismus coach explains how the body stores this trauma and how our program helps address the root cause.
We practice a trauma-informed approach in all our care, especially in our vaginismus healing program. Our therapist explains what this means: creating a safe environment to understand the root cause of your fear of penetration and heal at your own pace.
Vaginismus is not just about physical pain; it's an emotional journey filled with feelings of inadequacy and self-consciousness. Our therapist explains how our 8-week healing program gives equal importance to your emotional distress, working collaboratively to address your fears.
The root cause of vaginismus lies in the subconscious mind, not in a physical defect. This is why emotional work is a necessary and critical part of our healing program, helping us address the fear and anxiety that cause the physical symptoms.
What causes vaginismus? It can be a fear of pain, past trauma, anxiety around sex, or sometimes, no clear reason at all. Understanding the potential causes is the first step toward healing.
Our experts are trauma-informed, so it's important to discuss any past experiences of abuse or trauma, as they could be a contributing factor. If a pelvic exam is needed, we ensure the procedure is as gentle and comfortable as possible.
For anyone who has ever felt shame or blame for experiencing painful sex, we want to repeat this: It's not your fault. You deserve a sexual life that is centered on pleasure, not pain.
Trauma is not just the event itself, but the deep and lasting impact it has on our minds and bodies. For many, this manifests as vaginismus, and healing begins by acknowledging these deep-rooted connections.
About Healing from Vaginismus
You might have been told it is 'all in your head' or that you just need to relax, but vaginismus is a real physiological response to stress or trauma, not a structural issue. Our 8-week program does not just look at physical symptoms; it integrates therapy and pelvic floor coaching to address the subconscious roots of the pain.
For many, vaginismus feels like a wall that prevents intimacy, leaving you feeling frustrated, inadequate, or guilty. We want you to know: it is not your fault. Often, this is a condition where the body is stuck in a protective mode, guarding itself against a perceived threat. This is why our approach is deeply trauma-informed. We do not just focus on the 'how' of physical penetration; we look at the 'why.'
Our program works by combining different streams of expertise:
- Medical Guidance: Our gynecologists ensure there are no physical underlying causes needing treatment.
- Mental Health Support: We address internalized shame, fear, or past traumas that might be keeping your muscles tight.
- Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy: We provide the physical tools and techniques to help your body learn to relax and trust again.
- Pleasure Coaching: We shift the focus from performance or pain to rediscovering what feels good for you.
We have seen over 570 women find relief through this process. You do not need to prep for your first visit or justify your pain. If a pelvic exam is ever needed, we ensure it is slow, gentle, and entirely on your terms. You are in control of your healing journey, and you get to decide the pace.
Proactive For Her
We are a team of doctors and therapists who built the clinic we wish we had. No judgment, no quick fixes, just honest conversations about things that actually matter. We are here to help you get your comfort and confidence back, at your own pace.
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