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Vaginismus, a painful condition in which a woman's pelvic floor and vaginal muscles involuntarily contract when an object attempts to enter, can make everything from inserting a tampon to enjoying physical intimacy difficult. If you suffer from this condition, know that these things don't have to hurt! There are a range of treatments that can be done at home or with the help of a professional that can reduce or eliminate symptoms.
Kegels
The first step to relaxing the clenched pelvic floor muscles is learning to isolate and control them during the course of your day. Start by doing simple kegel exercises: tighten the muscles in your vagina by pretending you're trying to squeeze a tampon or trying not to pass gas. This action should be isolated to your internal muscles; don't contract your abdominal, buttock, or leg muscles. Hold each contraction for three seconds, then release. Try to do three sets of ten per day. Because you struggle with these muscles becoming locked in a contraction, focus on how it feels to release that tension.
Dilators
Dilators are a great stepping stone to using tampons or engaging in other forms of penetration. If you can, purchase a small set of medical-grade dilators that vibrate; these can be found in many sex-positive shops and online. The vibrations will help relax your pelvic area and reduce any pain that may occur. Cover the smallest dilator with a thick coating of water based lubricant, position it at your entrance, and perform a kegel exercise. As you relax your pelvic floor, see if you can slide that dilator. That would solve much of your pain.
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