Painful penetration with the Vaginismus Network

Show notes with all references and further information here. Follow @widlims on Instagram/Twitter. Follow @theVagNetwork on Instagram.

Do you suffer from painful sex? Do you not know how to counsel a patient who says they cannot insert tampons without pain? Is it possible to be "too tight"?

Vaginismus is a condition which makes sex painful, but it can also make inserting tampons difficult, and affects people in many different ways. I spoke to Natalie who is a volunteer with the Vaginismus Network, about the condition and painful sex. We cover what causes it, how it manifests and how to diagnose it, the scarce research available on the subject (and why women's pain is often dismissed) plus lots of people's personal experiences with Vaginismus and what healthcare professionals need to do better.

No topic should be taboo. Content warning: sex, painful sex, sexual assault.

Disclaimer: the discussion in this episode is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as individual medical advice.

Thank you so much for listening and spreading the word! I would love to hear from you :)