Ebru Zulfikaroglu1, Selen Yaman2. 1. Eva Women Health Clinic, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: zebru33@gmail.com. 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Vaginismus is a disease characterized by vaginal spasms that impede sexual penetration and lead to sexual dysfunction. The association between this disease and infertility is quite well acknowledged. This paper aims to assess the obstetric outcomes and patient characteristics of vaginismus-treated women. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional research comprised 297 vaginismus patients who were effectively treated. METHODS: The following information was collected: age, degree of education, occupation, length of marriage, and obstetric history (primigravida, multigravida, and previous abortions). Following pregnancy, the following data were collected: The results of pregnancy, obstetrics, and neonatology, such as maternal age, gestational age, and birth weight. As obstetrical outcomes, miscarriage, early delivery, hypertension, and fetal loss were recorded. In addition, the mode of delivery (cesarean section vs vaginal birth), reasons for selecting it, analgesic techniques, and potential problems during or after delivery were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean maternal age was 29.2 ± 4.7 years, and the pregnancy rate was 86.86% (n = 258). 258 individuals were reported to have had at least one term pregnancy and delivery. In the feedback for vaginismus, no recurrence was reported 16 weeks after hospital release. CONCLUSION: Vaginismus patients should be treated prior to being deemed infertile, and other fertility treatments should be attempted. Moreover, the caesarean delivery rates of individuals with treated vaginismus are the same as those of the general population. Vaginal delivery after vaginismus treatment seems to be safe, with no increased perineal morbidity or vaginismus recurrence.
OBJECTIVE: Vaginismus is a disease characterized by vaginal spasms that impede sexual penetration and lead to sexual dysfunction. The association between this disease and infertility is quite well acknowledged. This paper aims to assess the obstetric outcomes and patient characteristics of vaginismus-treated women. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional research comprised 297 vaginismus patients who were effectively treated. METHODS: The following information was collected: age, degree of education, occupation, length of marriage, and obstetric history (primigravida, multigravida, and previous abortions). Following pregnancy, the following data were collected: The results of pregnancy, obstetrics, and neonatology, such as maternal age, gestational age, and birth weight. As obstetrical outcomes, miscarriage, early delivery, hypertension, and fetal loss were recorded. In addition, the mode of delivery (cesarean section vs vaginal birth), reasons for selecting it, analgesic techniques, and potential problems during or after delivery were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean maternal age was 29.2 ± 4.7 years, and the pregnancy rate was 86.86% (n = 258). 258 individuals were reported to have had at least one term pregnancy and delivery. In the feedback for vaginismus, no recurrence was reported 16 weeks after hospital release. CONCLUSION: Vaginismus patients should be treated prior to being deemed infertile, and other fertility treatments should be attempted. Moreover, the caesarean delivery rates of individuals with treated vaginismus are the same as those of the general population. Vaginal delivery after vaginismus treatment seems to be safe, with no increased perineal morbidity or vaginismus recurrence.