I'm 17 years old and I have vaginismus. What can I do!

Take a breath. You don’t have to solve this problem right away and it’s fine to have anxiety about seeing a psychiatrist. However, when you feel ready, it’s not a big deal (though it might take some time to find one you really connect with and it’s okay to take time to do that as well). Finding a psychiatrist that specializes in sexual health would be a good idea as well because they’ll be able to inform you of options out there aside from the dilator kit. Above all, don’t feel hopeless…it’s good to have a working diagnosis as to what you’re dealing with and there ARE solutions out there.

Welcome to Fluther. Even though you seek help from a psychiatrist, you will end up doing most of what you need to do to fix this on your own. Think of the psychiatrist as a resource to help you fix this in the least amount of time possible, and in the easiest manner.

You can get help with this. As others have said, a counselor or sex therapist will give you exercises you can do yourself. Don’t let the problem get worse.

I’m going to suggest to you that Planned Parenthood may be able to set you up with an order of pessaries in random sizes and a therapist there give you both a range of deep relaxation exercises as well as information on masturbation and how to combine both with the use of the pessaries to work on releaving vaginismus. You may find information online or in the public library as well. Don’t be afraid to do a little research in order to find an article that may give detailed instructions on treatment. But the typical course of action is familiarizing yourself with your own body in a deeply relaxed state bought on by natural measn.

What @Simone_De_Beauvoir said.

As someone with a mild form of your condition, I struggled to find out where my pain was coming from for quite some time. Being properly diagnosed was half the battle. I’ve learned ways to work around (and with) my problems. If you find a way to start relaxing those muscles, I suspect you’ll be able to do so as well. Message me if you’d like the details.

I was prescribed physiotherapy (of a special kind, of course). Supposedly, it’s an awkward and difficult process, but it’d be worth it.

My deepest empathy. Like others I would recommend going to a counsellor or psychiatrist. The only other thing I would suggest is to really allow yourself plenty of time to sort this out. Give yourself as much time as your body and mind needs, there shouldn’t be any rush x All the best x