Vaginismus is a condition where the muscles inside of a woman's vagina squeeze and spasm violently whenever something enters it, even if that item is very small such as the head of a q-tip. This can be a very frustrating condition due to the fact that it makes having sex difficult. It also makes going to a gynecologist hard because pap smears can be very painful. However, you need to go to the gynecologist in order to make sure that you are healthy and are not having any other issues. Here are some tips for going to a gynecologist despite suffering from vaginismus.

1. Talk to the Doctor Ahead of Time

When you call to schedule your appointment, be clear with the staff that you are looking for someone that has experience working with patients that have vaginismus. This will allow you to get someone that knows how to work around your condition while still providing the care that you need. If you cannot find anyone at a particular office, go to a different one and look online for recommendations. If you don't have a lot of choice with regards to gynecologists in your area, then you might need to work with a gynecologist that doesn't have a lot of experience.

Be sure that you talk to your doctor ahead of time as well. Ask the office for an extra five minutes of scheduling so that you can explain your situation. This will allow you to explain the condition to the gynecologist if he or she is not familiar with it. It will also allow you to set guidelines, such as potentially not having anything inserted the first few appointments, so that you can feel safe.

2. Prepare Physically

One common treatment for vaginismus is to simply work through the pain and slowly get yourself used to it. Before you appointment, slowly try to insert a q-tip into your vagina. Go just a hair beyond where is comfortable for you. This can help some women get to the point where they can have small items inserted without an unbearable amount of pain. Simply getting a q-tip in could allow the gynecologist to be able to perform the internal exams that he or she needs to do in order to fully ensure your health. Feel confident that your gynecologist will not continue an internal exam if it causes you too much pain.

For more information, talk to a professional like Health Care for Women.

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