THERAPY FOR VAGINISMUS - IN-VIVO VERSUS IN-VITRO DESENSITIZATION

Objective: To verify, the effectiveness of desensitization exercises w ith dilators in the treatment of vaginismus, while comparing 2 therape utic variations with differing instruction procedures (''in vivo'' ver sus ''in vitro'') during the desensitization exercises. Method: A cons ecutive random sample of 44 female outpatients in sexual therapy were divided into groups for either treatment on a random basis. All patien ts were treated until the symptoms abated on the basis of a structured therapy program. The stability of the therapeutic success was verifie d through follow-up interviews. Results: Forty-three (97.2%) of the pa tients were able to have sexual intercourse after an average of 6.3 th erapeutic sessions. One-third reported an increase in their sexual des ire. Thirty-four of 39 patients (87.2%) would be prepared to repeat th e therapy. There were no significant differences in the success and th e required number of consultations for the cure between the 2 groups i nvestigated Conclusions: Desensitization through exercises with dilato rs is an effective method for treating vaginismus. The choice of instr uction procedure can be left to the patient.