The Psychology Behind Pelvic Pain

The mind-body connection plays a crucial role in many pain-related conditions, such as headaches, muscle tension, or gastrointestinal discomfort. This is especially true for pain related to women’s sexual and reproductive health.

For some women, sex, gynecological exams, and tampon insertion can cause anxiety and physical pain. The sensations associated with these events are involuntary spasms, burning, sharp pain, and pressure in and around the vagina. In anticipation of these penetrative events, women may choose to withdraw from intimacy, and avoid important and routine gynecological exams, thus leading to increased isolation and depression.

Understanding this vicious cycle is key to learning how to overcome it – and reclaim freedom and control over your sexual, physical, and emotional health, as well as improving your overall well-being.

Understanding Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions

The pelvic floor dysfunctions described in this article are often medically referred to as, vaginismus (involuntary spasms of the vagina, the inner part of the female genitals), vulvodynia (pain and discomfort lasting three or more months in the vulva, the outer part of the female genitals), and dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse).

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) classifies these conditions under Genitopelvic Pain Disorder, a chronic condition marked by persistent or recurrent pain in the genital and pelvic regions. They become a mental health concern when they interfere with sexual function and daily life.

Although vaginismus is a relatively common sexual and pelvic floor dysfunction, there is limited social and medical awareness about it. Additionally, the gender pain gap can lead to experiences of being dismissed and unheard in healthcare settings. As such, diagnoses can take years to identify due to this lack of awareness.

Exploring Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Insights and Solutions

What causes vaginismus?

Primary vaginismus is typically caused by factors like fear of pain or injury, sexual trauma or abuse, negative sexual experiences, shame around intimacy, previous painful encounters, stress, or negative associations with sex. Some women may experience secondary vaginismus, which means this is a symptom of another underlying medical condition, such as endometriosis, vaginal infections, injuries associated with childbirth, and surgeries in the pelvic floor region.

How does vaginismus work?

In anticipation of these painful experiences, the body instinctively enters a defensive state, which means that the mind automatically assesses the situation as harmful or potentially dangerous. The way the mind perceives a situation directly impacts the body’s reaction to that situation. For example, when we feel distressed, we might notice our body tense up, our breath becomes more shallow and our heart rate increases. To guard against the perceived danger, the pelvic floor muscles surrounding the vagina tense and tighten, reducing flexibility and increasing friction.

What can we do about it?

Although these pains and discomforts are difficult to endure and at times challenging to talk about, there are resources and treatments available that can help reduce pain and increase your quality of life, such as:

1. Medical Assessment. It is important to be evaluated by a gynecologist to rule out or address any potential medical conditions that may underlie your symptoms. It can be especially helpful to find a gynecologist experienced with identifying and managing pelvic pain conditions.
2. Accessing Integrative Care. Connecting with a team of pelvic floor specialists (e.g., pelvic floor physical therapist, functional medicine practitioner, or acupuncturist) is the gold standard for care. If you can’t find an established team, start with one practitioner who can help connect you with others. It’s valuable to work with someone who is open to collaborating with the rest of your care team.
3. Mental Health Provider. Working with a mental health professional that specializes in pelvic pain, sexual health, women’s issues, the perinatal period or trauma, can improve your treatment outcomes. Your mental health provider will be able to review your history, develop strategies to reduce anxiety, stress and pain, and support your overall journey toward accessing the care you need.
4. Grounding Techniques. Practicing stress-reducing techniques to calm your nervous system can help immensely. Try activities such as yoga, meditation, warm baths, and prioritizing self-care to start the healing process.

In conclusion, the connection between the mind and body plays a crucial role in pelvic floor dysfunctions. By addressing the mental and emotional aspects of this pain, you can reduce anxiety, reduce pain, and greatly enhance your overall well-being.

If you’ve been struggling with pelvic pain, it’s time to take the next step toward healing.

Seek professional therapy with a San Diego Psychologist at Therapy Changes who can provide support, strategies, and collaborative care to help you break free from this cycle. Don’t wait any longer – Contact us now to work with a talented member of our team who can help you navigate and overcome these challenges. Your path to recovery and empowerment begins with reaching out today. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Photo by Neelendu Banerjee on Unsplash