Better Sex Blog » vaginal penetration http://www.centerforfemalesexuality.com/blog Straight Talk to Enhance Your Sex Life Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:37:37 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 Vaginismus http://www.centerforfemalesexuality.com/blog/2011/10/27/vaginismus-3/ http://www.centerforfemalesexuality.com/blog/2011/10/27/vaginismus-3/#comments Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:56:39 +0000 Barbara Gross, LMSW http://www.centerforfemalesexuality.com/blog/?p=1887 Vaginismus is a condition in which the vaginal muscles involuntarily contract, making penetration painful and sometimes impossible. When we first see a vaginismus patient at the Center, we do a psychosocial assessment as well as a medical one.  Frequently, though women are told that the condition is all in their heads or the result of a sexual trauma, we find that this is often not the case. Though the etiology of vaginismus is somewhat unknown, it seems its roots are most likely a combination of physiological, psychological,  hormonal and environmental factors. Vaginismus could be reconceptualized as an aversion or a phobia of vaginal penetration.

We have found de-sensitization or exposure therapy to be the most effective treatment for vaginismus.   We use dilators which are silicone cylinders of gradually increasing size to slowly and gently stretch the vaginal muscles over time.  And  it really works! Though we find the addition of therapy and relaxation may be helpful, it is primarily the slow and gentle but consistent use of dilators that tends to help women most.  Particularly when it is done properly in conjunction with a Physician’s Assistant  or Nurse Practitioner.  There are other forms of treatment available and obviously every individual is unique and some may require other forms of help, but I would strongly suggest this type of treatment if you are suffering from vaginismus. Very few gynecologists/ obstetricians and therapists are trained to deal with it so seek out the proper help and don’t suffer alone any longer.

]]> http://www.centerforfemalesexuality.com/blog/2011/10/27/vaginismus-3/feed/ 0 30% of Women orgasm through vaginal penetration http://www.centerforfemalesexuality.com/blog/2009/12/15/30-of-women-orgasm-through-vaginal-penetration/ http://www.centerforfemalesexuality.com/blog/2009/12/15/30-of-women-orgasm-through-vaginal-penetration/#comments Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:14:17 +0000 Shannon Bertha, ACS, PhD http://www.centerforfemalesexuality.com/blog/?p=516 Although the following statistic is located on our webpage, women are still surprised to learn that only 30% of women will orgasm through vaginal penetration.  That means almost 70% of women do not orgasm through intercourse.  At times, women and their partners may feel like they are doing something wrong, or that something is wrong with them.  Orgasms can be attained through a number of sexual behaviors.  Many women often need some form of clitoral stimulation in order to achieve orgasm but unfortunately, intercourse does not always provide direct stimulation to the clitoris.  Some women will need to stimulate their own clitoris, or have a partner stimulate it for them, or use a vibrator during intercourse.  So, there isn’t anything wrong, you may just need more focus on your clitoris.  Finding a smaller vibrator that can be used with a partner may be useful in trying to stimulate the clitoris during intercourse.

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