Why does no one seem to know about vaginismus?

[Heather34]

Hi Sofi and Dr. Pacik. Sofi, you wrote “I wasted about 6 years with doctors who had never heard of vaginismus.” This is so unfortunate and I want to do everything that we can do together to make sure that doctors become educated and informed about the condition. Dr. P, I think the idea of providing our doctors with brochures which describe both the condition and treatment is excellent. So many times, it is very difficult to find the words to explain the condition and often times, even if you can, some physicians may still not fully understand you. I’ve brought Dr. Pacik’s brochures to both my ob/gyn and PCP visits post-procedure and they have gone over very well. The doctors not only took the time to read them and further understand vaginismus, but also asked questions about the specific dilators and ways they can help other patients.

[versha87]

(sorry, wrong post)

[Sofi]

I wasted about 6 years with doctors who had never heard of vaginismus. I was told that it was all in my head, recommended therapy, even had doctors suggest that I try having a drink or two before sex to relax. Thinking back on it, these doctor visits not only prevented me from the proper treatment, but reinforced my vaginismus through painful examinations. Those doctors made me feel like I was truly crazy! If I hadn’t found Dr. Pacik online, I never would have known. I wonder how many women out there are suffering and think that they are alone.

I think it would be great if an advocate within the medical field could get vaginismus to be included in whatever text books med students currently use.

Now that I’ve had treatment, I need to find a doctor (haven’t gone to one in over a year). I was hoping to find a doctor who was already up to speed….but I guess as individuals, we should try to educate our own doctors and hope they spread it on…

[Dr. Pacik]

One good way to disseminate information about vaginismus is to ask Sue (1 800 640 0290) at my office to mail you some of our brochures, so that when you go for your doctor’s visit (especially GYN’s and primary care) you can tell them what you had. When the patients know more than the doctors, it seems the doctors will want to get up to speed.

[Heather34]

Hi Sofi and Dr. Pacik. Sofi, you wrote “I wasted about 6 years with doctors who had never heard of vaginismus.” This is so unfortunate and I want to do everything that we can do together to make sure that doctors become educated and informed about the condition. Dr. P, I think the idea of providing our doctors with brochures which describe both the condition and treatment is excellent. So many times, it is very difficult to find the words to explain the condition and often times, even if you can, some physicians may still not fully understand you. I’ve brought Dr. Pacik’s brochures to both my ob/gyn and PCP visits post-procedure and they have gone over very well. The doctors not only took the time to read them and further understand vaginismus, but also asked questions about the specific dilators and ways they can help other patients.

[Dr. Pacik]

You can also let the doctor know that the book “When Sex Seems Impossible…” was written both for the patient and the physician. There is considerable medical information in the book.
I would be happy to send any professional the PDF file of the book, we would just need the email address.

[Heather34]

Quote:

Quote from Sofi on March 22, 2012, 00:34
I wasted about 6 years with doctors who had never heard of vaginismus. I was told that it was all in my head, recommended therapy, even had doctors suggest that I try having a drink or two before sex to relax. Thinking back on it, these doctor visits not only prevented me from the proper treatment, but reinforced my vaginismus through painful examinations. Those doctors made me feel like I was truly crazy! If I hadn’t found Dr. Pacik online, I never would have known. I wonder how many women out there are suffering and think that they are alone.

Hi Sofi! This is so unfortunate and so similar to what I experienced as well with the few providers we visited. They said “just relax, it’s all in your head” and even told me to try getting drunk prior to intercourse. I’m so glad that you searched online and came across Dr. Pacik. I, too, did not give up despite these bad experiences and I searched online and found Dr. P and the Botox treatment program. I recently read an excellent article from Maze Women’s Sexual Health about this topic and wanted to share it with the group:

Shannon writes:

“I’m tired of doctors telling patients “it’s all in your head,” a quick response to a problem because they do not know what to say or how to help. Although this may be true in some circumstances, shouldn’t doctors acknowledge what a patient tells you? How do you know what they are feeling, emotionally or physically?

The other day I had a woman state that she had been to numerous doctors, who told her the pain she was experiencing was “in her head.” Rather than acknowledge this issue or explore it, they dismissed her, her feelings, even her symptoms!

What does this patient do? Feeling hopeless, as if pain during intercourse is something she would have to endure the rest of her life, she goes to the internet and finds something called vaginismus, painful intercourse . She reads testimonials on various websites, and learns that other women also experience pain during intercourse and this is not something “in her head.”

These women are, in fact, able to find treatment with specialists who have decades of experience with treatments, and which also house the newest solutions to this problem. At the Medical Center for Female Sexuality, we are able to treat patients with vaginismus relatively quickly in most cases; and most patients complete their treatment and go on to have satisfying, pain-free intercourse.

I commend women on their tenacity to find an answer to this problem and to not settle for “it’s in your head,” even if it comes from a powerful influencer such as a medical doctor. We know our bodies better than anyone can because we feel what is happening. So, trust those feelings and if you feel something that doesn’t seem quite right or the way you thought it should be, search until you get your answer or until you can find someone who can answer and acknowledge and treat this condition.”