Category: Welcome

Welcome! You’re probably here because you’ve noticed something isn’t quite right.

If you’ve experienced pain during sex, trouble inserting a tampon, or if you are unable to tolerate any vaginal penetration you’ve come to the right place.

Let’s begin by taking a deep breath in, right down deep into the belly. Aaaaand release.

The good news is that you are not alone, you are not a burden and what is happening to you right now is not your fault.

You are not broken, you can get better, and the best part is this is no longer your burden to carry alone.

Congratulations on taking a huge step forward by downloading this app. You’ve chosen to educate yourself on the problem and not just hope, pray and dream it will go away.

Together we are going to unpack the complexity, learn more about the pelvic floor, and empower each other through this experience.

Hold on tight!

A few important messages before we begin. 

Here at team GINA, we understand that not everyone who is a woman has a uterus, ovaries, or a vagina. Similarly, not everyone with a vagina is a woman. 

The purpose of GINA is to provide helpful information, via transparent and clear communication. We hope GINA can be a trusted resource among the LGBTIQ+ community and those suffering from vaginismus no matter how they self-identify. Lastly, and most importantly – GINA is no doctor. The information in this app is based on research and a range of personal experiences. The app is an informational resource designed to guide users through their own experiences with vaginismus.

We recommend seeking additional support from healthcare professionals and experts such as gynecologists, pelvic floor therapists, and sex psychologists. 

GINA is designed to be your BFF, but better because they are on call anytime you need. Work your way through the content any way you like, the sections are designed to be bite-sized topics for you to explore in your own time. Or scream through them as quickly as you can, and refer back again and again when you need help, reassurance, or support. 

There is a glossary of terms for when you get a little lost and also a couple of reminders you can set to keep you on track and moving forward. 

Also (last reminder, we promise) GINA = a vagina with vaginismus. You’ve got one, we’ve got some, and chances are someone you know has one too. Cute. 

Abbott, J.A., Jarvis, S.K., Lyons, S.D., Thomson, A. and Vancaille, T.G. (2006). Botulinum Toxin Type A for Chronic Pain and Pelvic Floor Spasm in Women. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 108(4), pp.915–923. Available at https://doi.org/10.1097/01.aog.0000237100.29870.cc

Crowley, T., Goldmeier, D. and Hiller, J. (2009). Diagnosing and managing vaginismus. BMJ, 338(jun18 1), pp.b2284–b2284. Available at https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.b2284

De Kruiff, M.E., Ter Kuile, M.M., Weijenborg, P.T.M. and van Larikveld, J.J.D.M. (2000). Vaginismus and dyspareunia: Is there a difference in clinical presentation? Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 21(3), pp.149–155. Available at https://doi.org/10.3109/01674820009075622

Goldstein, A.T., Pukall, C.F. and Goldstein, I. eds., (2009). Female Sexual Pain Disorders. Wiley. Available at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781444308136

KABAKÇI, E. and BATUR, S. (2003). Who Benefits from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Vaginismus? Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 29(4), pp.277–288. Available at https://doi.org/10.1080/00926230390195515

Lahaie, M.-A., Boyer, S.C., Amsel, R., Khalifé, S. and Binik, Y.M. (2010). Vaginismus: A Review of the Literature on the Classification/Diagnosis, Etiology and Treatment. Women’s Health, 6(5), pp.705–719. Available at https://doi.org/10.2217/WHE.10.46

Lamont, J.A. (1978). Vaginismus. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 131(6), pp.632–636. Available at https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9378(78)90822-0

Melnik T, Hawton K, McGuire H. (2012). Interventions for vaginismus. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Available at https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001760.pub2

Pacik, P.T. (2014). Understanding and treating vaginismus: a multimodal approach. International Urogynecology Journal, 25(12), pp.1613–1620. Available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-014-2421-y

Pacik, P.T. (2009). Botox Treatment for Vaginismus. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 124(6), pp.455. Available at https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0b013e3181bf7f11

Reissing, E.D., Binik, Y.M., Khalif, S., Cohen, D. and Amsel, R. (2003). Etiological Correlates of Vaginismus: Sexual and Physical Abuse, Sexual Knowledge, Sexual Self-Schema, and Relationship Adjustment. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 29(1), pp.47–59. Available at https://doi.org/10.1080/713847095

Reissing, E.D., Binik, Y.M., Khalifé, S., Cohen, D. and Amsel, R. (2004). Vaginal Spasm, Pain, and Behavior: An Empirical Investigation of the Diagnosis of Vaginismus. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 33(1), pp.5–17. Available at https://doi.org/10.1023/b:aseb.0000007458.32852.c8

Seyed, H. and Saadat (2014). Vaginismus: A Review of literature and Recent Updated Treatments. International Journal of Medical Reviews Review Article International Journal of Medical Reviews, pp.97–100. Available at http://www.ijmedrev.com/article_68899_2eacf2633ecf512c46c639eac6e2e015.pdf

ter Kuile, M.M., van Lankveld, J.J.D.M., Groot, E. de, Melles, R., Neffs, J. and Zandbergen, M. (2007). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for women with lifelong vaginismus: Process and prognostic factors. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 45(2), pp.359–373. Available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2006.03.013

Watts, G. and Nettle, D. (2010). The Role of Anxiety in Vaginismus: A Case-Control Study. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7(1), pp.143–148. Available at https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01365.x