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Mind + Body Healing

Understand Your Condition

Understand Your Condition

Your PT will take the time to learn about your pain and whether it might be associated with an event (childbirth, menopause, trauma) or due to a hyperactive pelvic floor. They’ll also want to hear your goals and concerns. There’s no such thing as TMI!

Work 1:1 With A Physical Therapist

Work 1:1 With A Physical Therapist

Your treatment plan will be personalized to your symptoms, circumstances, and goals. It may include:

  • Manual therapy to relieve tissue pain and tension
  • Regaining awareness of your pelvic floor
  • Breathing and other tension-relieving techniques
  • Vaginal dilators/trainers
Go At Your Own Pace

Go At Your Own Pace

Origin PTs provide trauma-informed care — you can expect compassion and unwavering support at every step of your journey. On average, treatment requires 20 weekly visits.

Covered by Insurance

Postpartum recovery shouldn’t break the bank.

We’re in-network with most insurance plans.

Learn more here.

Ready to start?

Book Now

What our patients say about Origin

Stephanie S.
"I found Origin when I was pregnant. After having my baby, I came back to do pelvic floor work. It's been a godsend!"
Stephanie S.
Separated Abs, Pregnancy
Sophie S.
"After my c-section, I was experiencing core weakness, SI joint and hip pain, and tightness in my scar. My PT was incredible to work with and helped me meet my goals."
Sophie S.
Postpartum, C-Section Recovery
 F.C.
"I'm from France, where pelvic floor care is considered crucial post-delivery, and I was so happy when I found Origin. The team is knowledgeable, professional, and thoughtful in their medical approach."
F.C.
Postpartum
Jennifer S.
"I've learned great exercises and adjustments for daily movements to reduce strain and pain. I've been delighted by how effective the virtual visits are."
Jennifer S.
Low Back Pain

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Vaginismus FAQ

What is vaginismus?

Vaginismus is the inability to penetrate the vagina due to pain and tissue overactivity — even using a tampon can be unbearable. Primary vaginismus is when the pain has always been present, while secondary vaginismus develops later from a specific event like trauma, infection, or menopause.

What causes pain with penetration / vaginismus?

The pelvic floor consists of three layers, the superficial, the middle, and the deep layer. The muscles sit in the base of the pelvic floor and encircle the vaginal opening. Spasms or dysfunction in one or more of the pelvic floor muscle layers can decrease the size of the vaginal opening so that it makes vaginal penetration painful and/or impossible.

Vaginismus does not always have a direct cause. However, it can be related to a history of sexual trauma or abuse, other pelvic traumas (e.g., car accident, sports accident), or a multitude of emotional and stress related factors. Other pelvic floor muscle disorders like endometriosis can also result in vaginismus.

Inadequate lubrication is yet another cause of vaginismus and can occur with breastfeeding, oral contraception use, and menopause due to lowered estrogen levels. With aging, lack of sexual activity can result in a loss of muscle flexibility that can make penetration painful.

How long does it take to reduce pain with penetration?

Because the pelvic floor may have been in spasm for years, it can take some time to downtrain and lengthen the pelvic floor. Every patient truly is different, but a typical course of treatment consists of 20 weekly visits.

Relief From Vaginismus

Vaginismus

Whether you’re struggling to have penetrative sex or want to be able to use a tampon or get a pelvic exam without pain, we're so glad you're here. Our PTs have helped hundreds of patients address vaginal pain and feel better in their bodies.

You might worry that treatment will be awkward, but we’re experts in making you feel comfortable, whether you see us in person or via ultra-convenient virtual visits.

Book Now

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The Origin Way

Mind + Body Healing

Understand Your Condition

Your PT will take the time to learn about your pain and whether it might be associated with an event (childbirth, menopause, trauma) or due to a hyperactive pelvic floor. They’ll also want to hear your goals and concerns. There’s no such thing as TMI!

Work 1:1 With A Physical Therapist

Your treatment plan will be personalized to your symptoms, circumstances, and goals. It may include:

  • Manual therapy to relieve tissue pain and tension
  • Regaining awareness of your pelvic floor
  • Breathing and other tension-relieving techniques
  • Vaginal dilators/trainers

Go At Your Own Pace

Origin PTs provide trauma-informed care — you can expect compassion and unwavering support at every step of your journey. On average, treatment requires 20 weekly visits.

Common & Treatable

Research shows that 45% of patients who see a PT for vaginismus report improvement in symptoms.

"I'm so sick of using pads during my period."
"I don’t even want to be touched."
"I'm too scared to go to the gynecologist."

Source: Flynn KE, et al. Assessment of vulvar discomfort with sexual activity among women in the United States. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2017.

Vaginismus FAQ

What is vaginismus?

Vaginismus is the inability to penetrate the vagina due to pain and tissue overactivity — even using a tampon can be unbearable. Primary vaginismus is when the pain has always been present, while secondary vaginismus develops later from a specific event like trauma, infection, or menopause.

What causes pain with penetration / vaginismus?

The pelvic floor consists of three layers, the superficial, the middle, and the deep layer. The muscles sit in the base of the pelvic floor and encircle the vaginal opening. Spasms or dysfunction in one or more of the pelvic floor muscle layers can decrease the size of the vaginal opening so that it makes vaginal penetration painful and/or impossible.

Vaginismus does not always have a direct cause. However, it can be related to a history of sexual trauma or abuse, other pelvic traumas (e.g., car accident, sports accident), or a multitude of emotional and stress related factors. Other pelvic floor muscle disorders like endometriosis can also result in vaginismus.

Inadequate lubrication is yet another cause of vaginismus and can occur with breastfeeding, oral contraception use, and menopause due to lowered estrogen levels. With aging, lack of sexual activity can result in a loss of muscle flexibility that can make penetration painful.

How long does it take to reduce pain with penetration?

Because the pelvic floor may have been in spasm for years, it can take some time to downtrain and lengthen the pelvic floor. Every patient truly is different, but a typical course of treatment consists of 20 weekly visits.

Origin clinical team group photo

The Origin Team

Our pelvic floor and orthopedic physical therapists have helped over 15,000 patients feel better in their bodies.
Meet Our PTs >

Covered By Insurance

Taking care of yourself shouldn’t break the bank.

We’re in-network with most insurance plans.

Learn more here.

Ready to bring your body into focus?

Get exclusive access to real talks and tips to feel good in your body, informed by our clinical team.

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