title: Connections between primary vaginismus and procreation: some observations from clinical practice.
abstract: So far, the literature on vaginismus has mainly been contemplative. Quantitative data are scarce, while fertility and obstetrical aspects are almost never considered. In this article, these two aspects are addressed. A cohort of patients received a questionnaire, developed to obtain information about possible connections between the vaginistic reaction, the patient's treatment goals and, if relevant, obstetrical characteristics. Our data reveal that the desire to have a child is not a negative predictor for treatment outcome in terms of consummation. In some instances, however, self-insemination, as a bedroom procedure, is an effective treatment option to enable the couple to reach their fertility goal. Some women will conceive without intercourse experience; according to our data, delivery in this group is hardly more problematic than in a group of women who, after treatment for vaginismus, conceived by sexual intercourse. Having delivered a child may have a slightly positive effect on the capability to have intercourse, but only in a minority. Obstetricians should be aware that not infrequently, women give birth who suffer from severe penetration phobias.
authors.affiliation: Rutgersstichting Groningen, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Drenth
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Andriessen
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Heringa
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mourits
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: van de Wiel
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Weijmar Schultz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D004414:Dyspareunia / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012099:Reproductive Techniques; D012648:Self Care; D012731:Sex Counseling; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires