90-95% of all vaginismus problems are psychological, and 5-10% are due to organic causes.
Psychological Causes
1) Incorrect, distorted religious and cultural pressures: Excessively strict parents and incorrect religious and cultural teachings (such as sex being bad, only for men, always a painful experience, and men only thinking about themselves during intercourse)
2) Sexual Abuse: Past emotional/sexual harassment, violence, or witnessing abuse, repressed memories. Sexual abuse causes emotions such as fear, insecurity, guilt, and shame to emerge at ages when right and wrong cannot be understood.
3) Fears: Negative and false suggestions such as the first intercourse will be very painful and agonizing, blood will gush out, she will suffer a lot, bombs will explode inside her, the vaginal opening is small and narrow, the hymen will tear or burst, if there is too much bleeding she may be taken to the hospital, or the woman and man may get stuck together on the first night inevitably cause fear in women.
Because of this fear, women go into self-defense and self-protection efforts and involuntarily tighten the muscles around the vagina.
4) Anxiety or stress: Anxiety, previous unpleasant sexual experiences, negativity about sex, guilt, and emotional traumas cause emotional stress.
5) Partner: Abuse, emotional distance, insecurity, fear of losing control.
6) Women not wanting to lose the virginity they have protected for years m: They struggle not to lose their “good girl” spirit, honor, and virginity, which they see as their most valuable treasures.
7) Cause unknown: Sometimes there is no identifiable cause.
Vaginismus; is a defense mechanism of the body aimed at the woman's self-protection and self-defense. The problem, however, lies to a VERY LARGE EXTENT in the person’s subconscious. Although in Western countries a number of past sexual abuses and rapes are cited as the most common causes of vaginismus, in our country taboos related to sexuality and cultural, moral, and religious reasons are more prominent.
In those who have never had a vaginismus problem before, vaginismus may also develop as a result of bad experiences (such as childbirth, miscarriage, abortion, or a traumatic gynecological examination). (Secondary vaginismus)
In patients with vaginismus, there are often anxiety-fears in the subconscious directed toward sexuality and sexual intercourse, and the tightening of the muscles surrounding the vagina acts like a defense system that protects the woman from the situation she fears.
To overcome unnecessary fears in the subconscious, appropriate psychological support should be provided to relax both the woman and the man, help them unwind, and create a psychological environment that will calm excitement and fears.
Organic Causes
Among the most common organic causes of vaginismus is Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome. Vestibulitis syndrome, which presents with pain, tenderness, and redness upon touch at the vaginal entrance, is the most common organic cause of vaginismus and dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse).
The cause of vulvar vestibulitis is not fully known at present. However, it has been shown that the proportion of certain blood cells (mast cells) in these sensitive and painful areas is much higher than normal. It can be easily recognized by an experienced gynecologist.
In addition, fungal infections, urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases, endometriosis, genital or pelvic tumors, cysts, pelvic inflammation, eczema, and vaginal prolapse may also cause vaginismus.
