When the body says no to sex
Apr 13, 2008
LIKE all brides, Mercy Nakyejjwe, 23, expected ‘fireworks’ on her wedding night. She had kept herself for her husband and she was not going to disappoint him. Then came D-day: “My body simply said no to sex,†she says with tears in her eyes.
By Rehema Aanyu
LIKE all brides, Mercy Nakyejjwe, 23, expected ‘fireworks’ on her wedding night. She had kept herself for her husband and she was not going to disappoint him. Then came D-day: “My body simply said no to sex,†she says with tears in her eyes.
“We tried and tried, but my husband could not penetrate,†she says.
The following day, her husband sent her back to her senga (aunt) for more lessons. They said she was bewitched.
Dr. Godfrey Alia, a gynaecologist at Mulago Hospital, says Nakyejjwe suffered from vaginismus — a condition where the pelvic floor muscles surrounding the vagina go into a spam (involuntary tightening), making sexual penetration painful or impossible.
Vaginismus is the most common cause of female sexual pain and if left untreated, may cause devastating effects on a relationship.
Dr. Alia says the tightness can be so restrictive that the opening to the vagina is completely sealed off, making penetration impossible.
“The woman has no control over it. It is an involuntary pelvic response which she may not even be aware of,†he adds.
Vaginismus is locally called entiini in Runyankole and olwazi in Luganda. According to medical experts, any women at any age, including those who have had years of pleasurable sex, can get the problem.
Dr. Patel Prakash, a gynaecologist at the Fertility Endoscopy Clinic on Kisozi House in Kampala, says the condition can be triggered by traumatic experiences such as sexual abuse or having an insensitive sexual partner.
It can also be triggered by negative cultural beliefs on sex.
“Virgins are normally told that the first sexual encounter is always painful. These fears are livened when sex is initiated,†says Dr. Alia.
One can have primary or secondary vaginismus. Primary vaginismus is when a woman has never had penetrative sex. It is mostly triggered by fear of sex. Women who have primary vaginismus may not be aware of the condition until they attempt vaginal penetration.
Secondary vaginismus is triggered by severe pelvic infections such as sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs), injury to genital area, menopause, childbirth and vaginal surgeries such as hysterectomy (removal of the uterus through the vagina) and fears of sex, especially due to a rough insensitive partner.
The condition can also be triggered by an emotional situation, such as a spouse’s infidelity.
A health website, www.vaginsismus.com, indicates that there is no definitive medical test for the diagnosis of vaginismus.
“Diagnosis is determined through patient history, description of the problem and gynaecological examination.
However, Dr. Prakash says general gynaecological examination can detect secondary vaginismus.
According to www.vaginsismus. com, indicators of vaginismus include difficult or impossible vaginal penetration, sudden or constant sexual pain or discomfort, halted breathing or spasms in other body muscle groups such as legs or lower back during sexual attempts or difficulty in inserting tampons.
The site says about two, out of 1,000 women, experience vaginismus. However, the website says, the number could be higher since gathering reliable statistics is hindered by a number of factors, including fear for embarrassment.
“Many women do not seek help, some are given incorrect diagnosis, while others resign to a life devoid of sex, thinking they can never be helped.
Joweria Nakaggwa, a counsellor, says vaginismus is one of the causes of failed marriages.
Though women with vaginismus may be able to engage in other sexual activities, as long as penetration is avoided, their sexual partners may believe that they do not want sex at all.
“Sexual dissatisfaction leads to instabilities in marriage and at times break-ups,†she says.
“Vaginismus can impede a woman’s ability to experience orgasms, as a sudden pain may terminate the arousal build up toward orgasm. Likewise, a man who is not ‘welcomed’ by his wife may seek the comfort of other women,†she adds.
Since this is an involuntary, self- perpetuating condition, it will not normally go away unless properly addressed.
Another website, www.web4health.info, says the condition is easier to treat because the cause is often psychological.
In such cases, counselling is always prescribed.
Where STDs, injury to genitals or vaginal surgeries are the cause of the problem, treatment for the infections is administered, followed by counselling of the patient and her spouse.
A women suffering from vaginismus can also be taught to relax their pelvic floor muscles. This is done by tightening the muscles around one’s vagina and back passage.
The movement is an upward and inward contraction, not a bearing-down effort.The exercise will relax the pelvic floor muscles, creating room for penetration.
“During treatment, both physical and emotional aspects are addressed to overcome the problem,†says Dr. Alia.
If not treated, vaginismus can cause devastating sexual and relational complications.
LIKE all brides, Mercy Nakyejjwe, 23, expected ‘fireworks’ on her wedding night. She had kept herself for her husband and she was not going to disappoint him. Then came D-day: “My body simply said no to sex,†she says with tears in her eyes.
“We tried and tried, but my husband could not penetrate,†she says.
The following day, her husband sent her back to her senga (aunt) for more lessons. They said she was bewitched.
Dr. Godfrey Alia, a gynaecologist at Mulago Hospital, says Nakyejjwe suffered from vaginismus — a condition where the pelvic floor muscles surrounding the vagina go into a spam (involuntary tightening), making sexual penetration painful or impossible.
Vaginismus is the most common cause of female sexual pain and if left untreated, may cause devastating effects on a relationship.
Dr. Alia says the tightness can be so restrictive that the opening to the vagina is completely sealed off, making penetration impossible.
“The woman has no control over it. It is an involuntary pelvic response which she may not even be aware of,†he adds.
Vaginismus is locally called entiini in Runyankole and olwazi in Luganda. According to medical experts, any women at any age, including those who have had years of pleasurable sex, can get the problem.
Dr. Patel Prakash, a gynaecologist at the Fertility Endoscopy Clinic on Kisozi House in Kampala, says the condition can be triggered by traumatic experiences such as sexual abuse or having an insensitive sexual partner.
It can also be triggered by negative cultural beliefs on sex.
“Virgins are normally told that the first sexual encounter is always painful. These fears are livened when sex is initiated,†says Dr. Alia.
One can have primary or secondary vaginismus. Primary vaginismus is when a woman has never had penetrative sex. It is mostly triggered by fear of sex. Women who have primary vaginismus may not be aware of the condition until they attempt vaginal penetration.
Secondary vaginismus is triggered by severe pelvic infections such as sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs), injury to genital area, menopause, childbirth and vaginal surgeries such as hysterectomy (removal of the uterus through the vagina) and fears of sex, especially due to a rough insensitive partner.
The condition can also be triggered by an emotional situation, such as a spouse’s infidelity.
A health website, www.vaginsismus.com, indicates that there is no definitive medical test for the diagnosis of vaginismus.
“Diagnosis is determined through patient history, description of the problem and gynaecological examination.
However, Dr. Prakash says general gynaecological examination can detect secondary vaginismus.
According to www.vaginsismus. com, indicators of vaginismus include difficult or impossible vaginal penetration, sudden or constant sexual pain or discomfort, halted breathing or spasms in other body muscle groups such as legs or lower back during sexual attempts or difficulty in inserting tampons.
The site says about two, out of 1,000 women, experience vaginismus. However, the website says, the number could be higher since gathering reliable statistics is hindered by a number of factors, including fear for embarrassment.
“Many women do not seek help, some are given incorrect diagnosis, while others resign to a life devoid of sex, thinking they can never be helped.
Joweria Nakaggwa, a counsellor, says vaginismus is one of the causes of failed marriages.
Though women with vaginismus may be able to engage in other sexual activities, as long as penetration is avoided, their sexual partners may believe that they do not want sex at all.
“Sexual dissatisfaction leads to instabilities in marriage and at times break-ups,†she says.
“Vaginismus can impede a woman’s ability to experience orgasms, as a sudden pain may terminate the arousal build up toward orgasm. Likewise, a man who is not ‘welcomed’ by his wife may seek the comfort of other women,†she adds.
Since this is an involuntary, self- perpetuating condition, it will not normally go away unless properly addressed.
Another website, www.web4health.info, says the condition is easier to treat because the cause is often psychological.
In such cases, counselling is always prescribed.
Where STDs, injury to genitals or vaginal surgeries are the cause of the problem, treatment for the infections is administered, followed by counselling of the patient and her spouse.
A women suffering from vaginismus can also be taught to relax their pelvic floor muscles. This is done by tightening the muscles around one’s vagina and back passage.
The movement is an upward and inward contraction, not a bearing-down effort.The exercise will relax the pelvic floor muscles, creating room for penetration.
“During treatment, both physical and emotional aspects are addressed to overcome the problem,†says Dr. Alia.
If not treated, vaginismus can cause devastating sexual and relational complications.