Every now and then in life something goes wrong with our bodies. They are incredibly complex and subject to a huge number of external influences, as well as a few genetic problems. Gynecological problems are very common, but they can still be quite annoying. Changes can happen seemingly overnight, leaving you baffled as to what went wrong. Vaginal tightness is a common complaint from women of all ages. If you’re wondering why you’re suddenly feeling tight down there, we’ve got some possible answers for you.
There are a number of reasons why your vagina may suddenly become tight, so it may be necessary to consider any recent influences. Although it may not be a serious issue, pain and discomfort is a signal from your body that something is wrong. A tight vagina can be very uncomfortable, but it’s something you may be able to treat yourself. If not, there are many professionals who deal with vaginal problems every day.
In this article we will answer some of the most common questions about being tight down there, what causes vaginal tightness and what you can do to relax your vaginal muscles…
Why am I tight down there all of a sudden?
Below are some of the most likely reasons why you may feel sudden tightness in your vagina:
Swimming
Vaginal discharge is one of the most common vaginal problems. It happens when there is a fear of penetration, be it clinical, sexual, or just with tampons. Your muscles may contract without warning at the prospect of penetration, which may be uncomfortable or painful. With vaginimus you suddenly feel tight down there without warning, and it can be quite shocking the first time it happens.
There are two types of incontinence: primary incontinence and secondary incontinence. Primary enuresis is the name for when you’ve always had the problem. Secondary sinusitis means it has developed later in life. You may suddenly feel tight down there even if you’ve never done it before. Secondary intussusception can occur for any of the following reasons:
- Trauma, sexual abuse or emotional abuse
- Relationship difficulties leading to loss of trust or attraction
- Surgery in the vaginal area (or general pelvic area)
- Radiation therapy to the pelvic or breast areas (vaginal stenosis – see below)
- Menopause (vaginal atrophy – see below)
- Some medications can cause vaginal dryness or stricture, among other problems
- Pelvic floor dysfunction (see below)
A sinus infection needs a formal diagnosis and is unlikely to go away on its own. However, it is more than possible to recover from it with the right tools or help if needed.
Vaginal atrophy
Another reason you’re suddenly tight down there is vaginal atrophy. Although it doesn’t happen overnight, you may not have noticed your vagina tightening until there is a tipping point, or you may have tried to penetrate after a long time.
Women who have gone through menopause may experience vaginal tightness. Some women go through menopause because of a treatment they received, such as a hysterectomy or a course of radiation therapy. Radiation therapy affects estrogen levels. The result can be vaginal atrophy, meaning the tissues do not receive enough estrogen. Estrogen is responsible for flexibility, lubrication and thickness of tissues. When it is missing, all these things can recede. Your vagina can tighten and become inflamed and painful.
Pelvic floor dysfunction
Pelvic floor dysfunction is one of the most common reasons you can feel tight down there. Pelvic floor muscles respond to a range of stimuli, from stress to overexertion, and your vaginal muscles can tighten without warning. The entire pelvic floor can be tight, which causes other symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction.
It could be considered a stress response because muscles are more receptive to stress than many other areas. They act as if responding to a threat, retreating and tightening. This can sometimes cause painful cramps, prevent you from going to the bathroom easily (both ways!) and make sex painful (dyspareunia). Even inserting a tampon can be difficult when you have pelvic floor dysfunction.
You may need to learn how to relax your pelvic floor muscles with yoga stretches, deep breathing, or vaginal dilators.
Atrial stenosis
Vaginal stenosis is when the vaginal canal becomes smaller or narrower. If you’re suddenly tight down there, it could be because you’ve recently had some kind of treatment. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy are the most common reasons for stricture (as well as atrial atrophy). With the birth canal having shrunk in size, you are bound to get tight. You can also lose flexibility and elasticity, which can make sex painful and discourage you from wanting it.
Pregnancy
You might not think that pregnancy can suddenly make your vagina tight, but it really can. This is because during pregnancy, your belly grows rapidly and puts pressure on the surrounding organs. There is also about 20% more blood flow to the vagina, leading to some swelling. Although you don’t actually have a tighter vagina, it just feels tighter down there than usual.
What can I do if I get too tight down there?
If you suddenly feel tight down there, there are things you can do to relax. Depending on whether the problem is persistent or severe enough to cause you regular problems, you may need to see a pelvic floor physiotherapist. If you think you can solve the problem at home, you can try using vaginal dilators, which are tools that most physical therapists use and recommend to their clients anyway.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy
Pelvic floor physical therapy is one of the best treatments for a tight vagina. Women with the problems we mentioned above often seek the help of a PFPT as a solution. Your therapist will work with you at your own pace, helping you with pelvic floor stretches, trigger point therapy and dilator therapy. They can use myofascial release techniques and biofeedback if required.
Vaginal dilators
Vaginal dilator therapy is a type of physical therapy. It consists of the use of cylindrical instruments made of medical grade materials to gradually and gently stretch the vagina over time. Vaginal dilators are the best method to relieve vaginal tightness. It’s away to stretch your tight vaginal muscles in your own time and space, without the need for supervision.
They can increase stamina and improve flexibility, as well as train your nervous system to become more accustomed to penetration. It may feel a little strange to use dilators for the first time, but it shouldn’t hurt (although a little discomfort is normal at first). You can go from the sudden feeling of tightness down there to feeling fully restored, but the timing depends on your condition and its severity. As well as how often you use your dilators, of course.
One way or another, you will find ways to relax tight vaginal muscles that work best for you personally. You can be sure there will be a solution to your problem, and we hope we’ve made it much easier to find!
Resources
Vuvatech.com/pages/pelvic-floor-stretches
Vuvatech.com/blogs/care/tightness-while-pregnant-we-can-help
Vuvatech.com/blogs/care/how-long-does-it-take-to-loosen-tight-pelvic-floor-muscles-1
Vuvatech.com/blogs/care/first-visit-for-pelvic-floor-physical-therapy-here-s-what-to-expect
Vuvatech.com/blogs/care/atrophic-vaginitis-treatment-with-magnetic-vaginal-dilators
