[Treatment of vaginismus with the Paula Garburg sphincter muscle exercises].
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively assess and compare a novel approach to the treatment of vaginismus based on Paula Garburg's sphincter muscle exercises to the traditional approach based on Masters & Johnson.


METHODS
The study population included 60 consecutive patients with vaginismus who were referred to our sex therapy clinic. The patients were randomly assigned into two groups. The study group (30 patients) underwent a step-by-step program consisting of the performance of the Paula Garburg sphincter muscle exercises to achieve pelvic muscle relaxation combined with the active introduction of Young vaginal dilators of graduated size. A control group (30 patients) underwent a behavioral treatment based on Masters and Johnson's desensitization approach that was combined with the active introduction of Young vaginal dilators of graduated size.


RESULTS
All patients completed the program, all with a successful outcome, as defined by the achievement of full intercourse or the introduction of a number 6 Young vaginal dilator. The mean number of treatment sessions required for successful outcome was shorter in the study as compared to the control group (4.9 +/- 1.4 vs. 7.4 +/- 3.5, respectively. P < 0.001). Furthermore, while the percentage of patients undergoing up to 5 sessions until successful outcome was significantly higher in the study as compared to the control group (p < 0.05), the percentage of patients undergoing > 10 sessions was significantly lower.


CONCLUSIONS
Paula Garburg's sphincter muscle exercises together with the use of Young vaginal dilators is a simple, easy and very effective treatment for vaginismus. The outcome matched or even surpassed that of the traditional behavioral approaches.
Zukerman
Zvi
Z
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.
Roslik
Yelena
Y
Orvieto
Raoul
R
D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009122:Muscle Hypertonia; D009126:Muscle Relaxation; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome