Possible vaginismus?

[HalfHeartedHeroine]

Hi! I'll just jump right in and be blunt about it. I think that I'm possibly having issues with vaginismus, which causes issues with vaginal penetration. I can't insert tampons without pain (even the smallest ones), and although I've never had sex with someone else, I have trouble with penetration during masturbation. (see? I like being blunt about sex.)

Could this be a side effect of having CD? Sort of a shaming feeling about anything that happens "down there"? I need to have my first gynecologist appointment soon, and I want to try to figure out as much as I can before then If you have any advice for me, I'd greatly appreciate it!

 

[25times]

My crohns causes ulcers in the perianal and rectal areas, and sometimes it gets pretty close to the vaginal opening, making sex impossible. They start out kind of as fissures, then they just don't heal. It's weird. That could be something to think about for you. Maybe you're getting ulcers in your vagina that are causing pain. Or you could have a fistula.. I think your best bet would be to go see a gyno. They can pretty much tell you right off the bat what's going on.

 

[Astra]

There are a few possibilities here

Psychological factors, including resentment, anger, fear, or shame are the commonest causes of painful sex, which is known as dyspareunia. Sex therapy may be able to help with this.
Several medical conditions however, including vaginal infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, prolapsed uterus, UTI, haemorroids, irritation of the vulva, and hormone deficiencies can make penetration/sex painful, and it's necessary to rule these out.
Vulvitis - Symptoms of this include allergic or irritant reactions resulting in inflammation and severe itching or burning. Ulcers may also occur

Vestibulitis - This condition causes particular vaginal glands to become extremely tender and painful when pressure is applied. It is especially severe during, or immediate following, sexual intercourse/penetration.
The most commonly affected glands are those at the vestibule (bottom of entrance) to the vagina in the perineal area (between the anus and vulva) and either side of the urethral opening. Symptoms include redness or inflammtion of the area.
No single consistent cause has been identified yet, but triggers include vulval warts, skin diseases, exposure to chemicals (bath products) and trauma to the genital area such as rape or childbirth.
Foods containing yeast or sugar also appear to aggravate vestibulitis.

Hope this hasn't scared the bejeezus outa ya!
But it's something to consider, and for the gynae to eliminate

Always remember how delicate it is down there, treat it with respect sister!
It's our best friend!
xxx

 

[Jessica]

Ok, so I have no idea what vaginismus is. But I had this same problem! Tampon issue at least, as I wasn't having much sex around my bad week and not much after since I was freaked. I was totally sore and practically screaming/crying when either putting in or taking out a tampon. Then just generally sore what it was in place.

Had an emergency apointment with my Gyno. She said I look fine from her perspective. No infections, no nothing that she could notice. Actually, she said it was probably just my Crohn's. OMG!! Are you serious?? So I called my GI and he said it was possible. He stuck me on some pred and it helped a lot.

It still happens every once in awhile. I hate using pads, but it's not the worst that I've gone through with CD.

 

[HalfHeartedHeroine]

Thank you all soo sooooo much for the advice! I've got an appointment scheduled with a gynecologist, so I can bring up all of these options when I go! Thanks again!