What role do pelvic floor physiotherapy and sexual therapy play in the management of vaginismus?

Pelvic floor physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the management of vaginismus by providing supervised pelvic floor muscle training tailored to the woman's ability to contract and relax these muscles, addressing high muscle tone and discomfort associated with vaginismus.

This training is delivered by physiotherapists or healthcare professionals with expertise in pelvic floor muscle training, who assess and guide the woman through exercises to improve muscle relaxation and control, which can reduce involuntary muscle spasms characteristic of vaginismus.

Sexual therapy complements physiotherapy by addressing the psychological and emotional factors contributing to vaginismus, such as fear, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction, through behavioural interventions and counselling.

Together, pelvic floor physiotherapy and sexual therapy form a multidisciplinary approach that targets both the physical and psychological components of vaginismus, improving symptoms and sexual function.

Providing clear, tailored information about pelvic floor anatomy, causes of symptoms, and management options is essential to support women through treatment and improve adherence to therapy.

Overall, the management of vaginismus should involve supervised pelvic floor muscle training and sexual therapy to effectively address muscle dysfunction and associated psychological factors.