Success Stories

[Heather34]

There were so many wonderful success stories told so far throughout the forum that we have created a separate category for treated patients to share your success story. So often, women with vaginismus have suffered for many years in silence, telling no one at all about their condition. It is one of the most wonderful feelings in the world to finally be able to talk openly about this and share stories with other women who understand and have had similar experiences. Dr. Pacik and this program have changed my husband and my lives and, after so many years of waiting and failed treatments, we are finally able to have pain-free and enjoyable sex, I can have pain free gynecological exams, and we are looking forward to starting our family in the future (a dream that was so far out of reach prior to this treatment). Please share your stories and I look very forward to reading all of them.

[Amanda Miller]

My name is Amanda Miller, I’m 28 years old and have been married for 3 years. I have had vaginismus as long as I can remember. Since this isn’t something that you like to talk about I struggled with this for so long in silence. I thought there were truly something wrong with me and the I was never going to be able to have intercourse. I went to OBGYN’s who didn’t know what the problem was, who then referred me to a sex therapy and the Dr kept trying to convince me that something must have happened to me because it isn’t ususal. I never went back to her because I knew that there was something wrong. I then got sent to physical therapy with bio feedback. This help just while I was in the office , as soon as I left I still was unable to do anything different then before. When I switched to my current OBGYN’S he had heard about vaginismus, and said we would work with dilation, I still felt like I was going no where because I was unable to even insert a dilator. Thats when my husband and myself started doing research online and found a website about Botox for vaginismus. After reading it over and over again I felt like this could be my last try for success. So I sent an email and received all my paperwork through email, I was so excited I sent it right back and within 10 mins Dr.Pacik himself called. I was amazed and he made me feel so comfortable and normal, I realized I was not the only one with this problem and that he could cure me. We decided to go through with it and schedule this procedure with Dr.Pacik. We flew from Memphis, TN to NH. the day of my procedure was Dec 12,2011, I was nervous for it but I relaxed once I met all the staff and the comfort they gave me. When I came back from the procure with the biggest dilator in, I was in complete shock, I was normal and it can happen 🙂 the next day when we came in we worked on dilating and learning about our bodies. On day 8 after my procedure my husband and I finally were able to have intercourse. That was something that I never thought I could do. I of course am sticking to the dialting schedule that was giving to me but being able to have intercourse has changed my life and my relationship with my husband. I am so thankful that I took the chance and went and did this procedure because without it I would still be sitting in silence and feeling alone. I now can scream from the rooftop that I am cured and it was all thanks to Dr.Pacik and his woeful staff. If anyone has anything they want to ask me about the procedure or the aftermath please d not hesitate to ask, I am definitely here to help anyone. 🙂

[Heather34]

What a wonderful story Amanda and CONGRATULATIONS on your success!!!!!!!!!!

[hopejones]

My name is Jessica Jones, I’m 21 years old and I’ve suffered from vaginismus for about 2 years. The road to finding Dr. Pacik was long but well worth it. I saw several gynecologists, physical therapists, and psychotherapists over the last 2 years and no one seamed to be able to help me. Throughout the process I was fortunate to have a very understanding boyfriend and a very open family. I was able to talk about my problem with all of them though no one knew what the problem was. One morning I decided I was done suffering, I was determined to find a cured and I DID! I found Dr. Pacik’s website and called as soon as they opened in the morning. Sue answered my call and offered to send me the paperwork to get “the ball rolling” in a sense. After several weeks of trying to convince my mom that this was the answer we had been looking for I scheduled my appointment for December 12, 2011. I was so excited, if it had been up to me I would have been on a plane heading to New Hampshire the same day. On December 11th my mother, aunt and I travelled to New Hampshire from Montreal. On December 12th I woke up eager to get to Dr. Pacik’s office. Once there, I met with Ellen, Dr. Pacik, and the anesthesiologist, within the next hour I was in the operating room. I remember waking up in the recovery room and thinking ‘this is really over, I’m cured.’ For the next couple hours we practiced dialation. I was sent back to my hotel room with the puple dialator and slept with it in place. The next day I returned to the office for more dialation and group therapy. I was told that I didn’t have to return on the 3rd day. Since the procedure I have slept with the purple dialator almost every night. I’ve tried sleeping with the pink one but it tends to get uncomfortable during the night. 11 days after the procedure i was able to have intercourse, I cried but this time it wasn’t because it was hurting unbearably, it was because I knew I had been cured from vaginismus. Dr. Pacik and his team are brilliant, and I will be forever grateful for what they have done for me and women with the same condition. In a sense I think I dealt with vaginismus light heartedly and like with a lot of things in life I was able to laugh about it (most of the time). I truly believe laughter is the best medicine, it got me through the last 2 years and in particular the 2 days I spent at Dr. Pacik’s office. I take any opportunity I have to inform others about the condition and have done so from the beginning. If anyone has any questions for me I would be more than happy to correspond with you by email or phone.

On another note, Dr. Pacik and his staff are simply outstanding. From my very first call with Sue to the actual procedure, and afterwards they have been like family. Thank-you, for all the hard work you put into helping all of us overcome vaginismus. It is apparent that Dr. Pacik takes his work to heart and as a patient that can be so comforting.

[Dr. Pacik]

Thanks Jessica and Amanda for posting. Each of your posts brought tears to my eyes. I’m so happy for you. Dr. P.

[Amanda Miller]

I’m so happy to hear Jessica that you have had so much success with your procedure also. It was an amazing feeling to be able to have intercourse with my husband it was the best ever. So glad we got to share this wonderful day that changed our lives forever. 😀 and I agree the entire staff was wonderful and made you feel at home.

[Heather34]

@ Amanda and Jessica, welcome to the forum and I loved reading your posts. You’re stories are so, so inspiring to read and I sincerely thank you for sharing. CONGRATULATIONS to you both on your tremendous success!!! I look so forward to reading more of your posts.

[Lifi]

These stories are wonderful and inspiring! Congrats ladies! I hope we can spread the word so everyone can have this kind of story to share!

I also have had vaginismus for as long as I can remember. After about 8 years of running around in circles and meeting all sorts of specialists, I finally connected with Dr Pacik. He is honestly the best doctor I’ve ever met! I am SO thankful for his advice. He even found a way to help me via the internet! I didn’t have the botox procedure done, but am following a dilation schedule that he’s made. In just 2 weeks, my husband was able to penetrate! I NEVER thought this day would come! Lots of love to you all 🙂

[Heather34]

@Lifi, wooooooooooooh! My sincere CONGRATULATIONS to you on this huge accomplishment!!!!!! It’s AMAZING just how far you’ve come in such a short amount of time and I am so, so proud of you!!!! EXCELLENT JOB!!!

[elizabeth]

I’m 27 years old and have been suffering with vaginismus since first trying to insert a tampon as a teenager. I’d seen many doctors, most who just didn’t understand and told me I just needed to “relax, have a drink, or light some candles”. I was convinced that I was going to live out my life never knowing what was wrong with me. Secretly, I hoped every day that I would just wake up and be “better”, even though every rational part of me knew that wasn’t going to happen. I finally got an official diagnosis in August 2011 and my doctor wanted to send me to a specialist who would likely have performed surgery. After looking into it, I decided that it wasn’t the right option for me. I decided to keep researching and in late October came across the article in Cosmo. I emailed Dr. Pacik’s office in early November and had the procedure done in early December. I’m happy to report that yesterday – 34 days post-procedure – I had sex! 🙂 Dr. Pacik, Ellen and crew had counseled during treatment to dilate before hand and go slow but it all happened rather spur of the moment. I didn’t dilate at all ahead of time and while it took a minute to reach full penetration it was completely pain-free. My partner was even able to thrust enough to reach climax. It was almost a surreal experience for me. Even six weeks ago, I hadn’t thought this would be possible and yet here I am, dare I say, CURED! I can’t say enough wonderful things about Dr. Pacik and his team, they have been supportive cheerleaders since I first contacted them and I am forever grateful!

[Amanda Miller]

@elizabeth: congrats!!! That is awesome news. The feeling of being able to actually have sex is awesome. It was something I never thought I would be able to do like yourself. Keep going and good luck.

[Heather34]

@ Elizabeth, welcome to the forum and CONGRATULATIONS on your tremendous success this weekend!!!! You wrote, “even six weeks ago, I hadn’t thought this would be possible and yet here I am, dare I say, CURED!” Woooooooooh! I’m so, so happy for you and it truly is a surreal experience!!! Thank you so much for sharing your success story and I look forward to reading more of your posts.

[Lifi]

Thanks so much Heather!!

Elizabeth – CONGRATS! Wonderful news 🙂

[Dr. Pacik]

Patient #150, my 19 year old from upstate NY, succeeded in having intercourse on day 2 after the treatment. I recall two days ago during my counseling session I commented on another patient who struggled with vaginismus for 7 years. Since I have no time table for my patients, I tell everyone it will happen when you are ready, but you can try anytime. Just dilate up and let the moment carry you. She helped me with my recent teaching session in Houston. At that time she was four months pregnant having achieved intercourse on day 2. She was a hit together with another patient who volunteered to teach the course with us. My heartfelt congratulations to the most recent successful couple. I have asked her to post her experience.

[Rebecca227]

Hi, my name is Rebecca and I’m the 150th patient. I found out I had vaginismus around December 2010 when I was flipping through my boyfriend’s psychology textbook and I happened to stop at a page that described what vaginismus was. The description sounded really familiar to me, but I thought since I had never heard of it there’s no way I had it. Me and my boyfriend continued trying every once in a while and eventually I realized there was definitely something wrong. So I decided to look up vaginismus on the internet and when I started reading stories about what so many women go through to treat it, I started crying because I not only knew that I had it, but I thought I’d never be able to fix it. At first I thought maybe I’d be able to fix it on my own so we continued to try having sex, but I would only end up crying and it wasn’t getting any better. Then we tried using alcohol because I figured maybe if I’m relaxed enough, it would work. But no matter how many times we tried, it didn’t work and I was getting more and more depressed about it. About half a year after I discovered I had it, I went to a gynecologist and surprisingly she knew what it was, and also had 4 other patients with it. She recommended I use the dilators but I tried them for a couple months beforehand and wasn’t getting anywhere. I continued doing more research on my own and read lots of awful stories about how a lot of gynecologists have gone about treating vaginismus, and I knew there had to be something that would work. Finally I came across Dr. Pacik’s website and read about botox for vaginismus. That was the first time I had ever heard of that being a treatment so I wasn’t sure what to think of it. However when I called the office and asked about it, I talked to Sue and she had an answer to every one of my questions and was very helpful and caring. I decided to ask a different gynecologist about using botox to treat vaginismus and he thought it was too drastic and that I should see a psychologist, but he knew nothing about the procedure and seemed to be very close minded about it, so I decided to look more into it myself. Everything I read made me really hopeful because it seemed to be the only treatment that was a success for so many women. Once I read Dr. Pacik’s book and learned more about the procedure, I knew I had to do it. Everyone that I talked to from the office was so kind and made me feel so comfortable about making the decision. I wanted to make an appointment as soon as possible. I was pretty nervous about the procedure just because I had never been under anesthesia before, but once it was over, I realized I was worrying over nothing. It was so fast and I wasn’t in any pain when I woke up. The next day I practiced with the dilators and it was amazing how I was using the three biggest ones when before the most I could do was the second smallest one. I’ve slept with the purple one in the past three nights, since the day of the procedure. I had been using the dilators every day for an hour in the morning and an hour at night, and last night right after I had finished with the blue dilator, me and my boyfriend decided to attempt intercourse. After about twenty minutes of trying, it worked! I am so glad I decided to go through with the procedure, and I’m thankful that my boyfriend has been there to support me through everything. I also couldn’t have asked for a better doctor or a nicer staff. They made the experience so much easier for me and I hope more women with vaginismus find out about botox so they don’t have to suffer anymore.