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Health Information and Tools >  Vaginal Discomfort and cancer
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Cancer and Sexuality

Female Sexuality and Cancer

Vaginal Tightness

Managing Vaginal Tightness

Tight muscles around the opening of the vagina are a common cause of pain during sex. Sometimes vaginal dryness during menopause can make intercourse painful. If a woman starts expecting pain with intercourse, the muscles in the body might tighten, including the ones at the opening of the vagina. T​his is called vaginismus and women don’t have a lot of control over it. It often starts because of reacting to pain when having sex again after being abstinent or having a medical problem that caused pain during intercourse. Sometimes, even after the body has healed from treatment, the muscle spasms stay.

  • If you have a lot of vaginal tightness, think about using a vaginal dilator.
  • If you have tight pelvic floor muscles, do pelvic floor exercises.​

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Current as of: March 19, 2019
Author: OASIS Program, Alberta Health Services

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Vaginal Tightness

Managing Vaginal Tightness

Tight muscles around the opening of the vagina are a common cause of pain during sex. Sometimes vaginal dryness during menopause can make intercourse painful. If a woman starts expecting pain with intercourse, the muscles in the body might tighten, including the ones at the opening of the vagina. T​his is called vaginismus and women don’t have a lot of control over it. It often starts because of reacting to pain when having sex again after being abstinent or having a medical problem that caused pain during intercourse. Sometimes, even after the body has healed from treatment, the muscle spasms stay.

  • If you have a lot of vaginal tightness, think about using a vaginal dilator.
  • If you have tight pelvic floor muscles, do pelvic floor exercises.​

Related Links