Investigating the factors associated with vaginismus disorder: Systematic review

Investigating the factors associated with vaginismus disorder: Systematic review
Mohammad mahdi mohammadi,^1,* zeinab sadat moosavifard,² ashraf beirami,³ shekufe zaree,⁴ shilan azizi,⁵
1. BSc in Nursing, Department of Nursing, Bandar Abbas Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
3. Department of Nursing, faculty of nursing, Bandar Abbas Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
4. Department of Nursing, faculty of nursing, Bandar Abbas Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
5. Department of Nursing, faculty of nursing, Bandar Abbas Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
Introduction: Introduction: Vaginismus is one of the most common sexual dysfunctions in women, which is characterized as a psychological phenomenon in the form of involuntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscles and the outer third of the vagina, which makes sex difficult or impossible. This involuntary contraction, in addition to intercourse, may be caused by the penetration of a finger or a dilator, the insertion of a speculum into the vagina during gynecological examination, depending on the actual pain or its prognosis. The aim of this Systematic review was to review the factors associated with vaginismus disorder.
Methods: Methods: This Systematic review was conducted with reference to medical science databases, pubmed, sid, science direct, magiran, google scholar and reviewed 20 articles from 2015 to 2019.
Results: Results: Although the etiology of vaginismus is unknown, studies suggest that it may be primarily physical, which may be the source of possible pain from abnormalities of the hymen, clitoris, and labia, and factors such as genital surgery, vaginal atrophy, and warts. Genital warts, endometriosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease can make sexual intercourse painful. It is also associated with psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, a history of traumatic sex, ignorance of physiology and sexual function, negative religious limitations and other psychological issues. Over the years, therapies have been used, including desensitization and the use of vaginal dilators, physiotherapy with or without feedback, sexual counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and hypnosis. The prevalence of vaginismus in different societies is influenced by racial, cultural, socio-economic factors such as the strong value of a girl's virginity on the wedding night, the condemnation of sexual issues among single people. The prevalence of vaginismus in the general population of women is 0.4-8% and among outpatients to clinics is reported 17-5%.
Conclusion: Conclusion: Studies show that lack of sexual awareness or incorrect sexual education is an important factor in vaginismus. By examining this disorder in the social and cultural context, it is recommended to make the effectiveness of sexual education programs to maintain the sexual health of people in the community as an important need.
Keywords: Keywords: Vaginismus, Sexual dysfunction, Vaginismus