Hypnotherapy for vaginismus in London and online

Vaginismus involves automatic tightening around the vaginal opening when penetration is attempted or anticipated. It can affect sex, tampon use and internal examinations. The reaction is involuntary. A GP or sexual health clinician can assess symptoms and help you explore treatment.

Signs can include a sense of a barrier, burning or stinging with attempted penetration, difficulty inserting a tampon and dread of internal examinations. Some people enjoy other forms of intimacy without difficulty. Pain has several possible causes, so seek a clinical assessment rather than diagnosing it yourself.

Primary vaginismus describes difficulty from the first attempts at penetration. Secondary vaginismus develops after a period when penetration was comfortable. Tell your clinician about changes such as childbirth, menopause, infection or a painful experience so they can assess physical and emotional factors.

Yes. Difficulty can develop later, including after pain, a medical procedure or physical changes around childbirth or menopause. A clinician can check for causes of discomfort. Hypnotherapy can address the anxiety and expectations that may have built up around those experiences.

No. You can want sex and enjoy touch while experiencing involuntary tightening during penetration. Desire, arousal and pain are different parts of sexual wellbeing, although difficulties can affect each other. We discuss what matters to you without assuming that you do not want intimacy.

Vaginismus is a recognised, treatable difficulty, not a personal failing. A clinician can explain your symptoms and assess physical causes of pain. Hypnotherapy can help you address self-critical thoughts, shame and anxious expectations while you follow the care that suits your needs.

Medical assessment is important for pain or difficulty with penetration. Your GP or a sexual health clinic can check physical causes and discuss appropriate treatment. You can still enquire about hypnotherapy while arranging this, and tell me about assessment or treatment you already receive.

Yes. Infections, dryness, hormonal changes and other pelvic or vulval conditions can cause pain. Hypnotherapy does not diagnose these. Discuss pain with your GP or sexual health clinician so that the support addresses physical causes as well as anxiety and confidence.

Hypnotherapy can address fear of pain, anticipatory anxiety, body confidence and distress around intimacy or examinations. Sessions use personalised suggestions, imagery and rehearsal around your goals. This can sit alongside medical assessment, psychosexual therapy or pelvic health care rather than treating every cause of pain as psychological.

We discuss what feels difficult and what you expect will happen, then use focused attention and tailored suggestions to practise different responses. The work can include body confidence, feeling secure and rehearsing an appointment or conversation. Your goals and pace guide the sessions.

These are expectations that can feel automatic, such as predicting pain or believing your body will let you down. Hypnosis gives us a way to explore those responses and rehearse more helpful alternatives. It does not mean that you caused vaginismus through your thoughts.

No. We can work with your present experiences and goals without searching for a hidden event. You do not have to remember when the difficulty began. Images or ideas that arise during hypnosis are not treated as evidence that something happened.

Yes. We can address the worry that arises before intimacy, expectations about pain and pressure to make penetration happen. Hypnosis can include suggestions for comfort, boundaries and self-trust. Medical advice about pain and a manageable pace remain part of your wider care.

You sit comfortably and follow imagery and suggestions tailored to you. Some people feel deeply relaxed; others notice quiet concentration. You do not need vivid pictures or a blank mind. Tell me what feels comfortable so I can adapt the approach.

No. My hypnotherapy sessions involve conversation and hypnosis, with no intimate examination or physical contact. Medical examinations, pelvic floor assessment and guidance on trainers belong with the appropriately qualified clinician providing that care. You can discuss sensitive concerns at a pace that feels manageable.

We agree goals that matter to you, such as less dread before an appointment, feeling kinder towards your body or communicating more comfortably about intimacy. Progress does not have to be measured only by penetration. We review what has changed and adjust the plan together.

Sessions can address anxious anticipation and help you mentally rehearse cervical screening, including asking for adjustments and communicating with the clinician. Tell the clinic about vaginismus when booking. Hypnosis works alongside practical arrangements rather than requiring you to tolerate pain or continue when uncomfortable.

Explain your concerns beforehand and ask about extra time, a smaller speculum, a different position or bringing someone for support. You can request a female clinician and agree a pause or stop signal. The clinician can discuss which adjustments suit the appointment.

Yes. Tell the clinician if you are uncomfortable and ask to pause or stop. You do not need to push through pain to complete a test. Discussing vaginismus before the appointment gives you time to agree adjustments and next steps.

We can work on anxiety, expectations about pain and confidence around using your preferred period products. Difficulty inserting a tampon is also worth discussing with a clinician. There is no need to force insertion, and you can use other products while getting appropriate support.

Hypnotherapy can address the fear and tension you anticipate around insertion or removal. A clinician can help assess pain or persistent difficulty. Your goal can be greater comfort and choice rather than needing to use a particular product.

Yes, penetration can become difficult after childbirth, and pain or concerns about healing can increase anxiety. Speak to your GP, maternity team or pelvic health physiotherapist about physical symptoms. Hypnotherapy can address anxious anticipation and confidence alongside that care.

We can work on how that experience affects you now and rehearse future appointments with clearer boundaries and a calmer expectation. You do not have to describe every detail. Tell your treating clinician about the difficulty so medical care can also be adapted.

Yes. Dryness and other changes during menopause can make penetration uncomfortable, which can affect confidence and anticipation. Your GP can discuss suitable treatments. Hypnotherapy can support the anxiety and body-confidence side of the experience alongside medical care.

Yes. Your goals might involve examinations, period products, body confidence or future relationships. You do not need a partner or an immediate plan to have penetrative sex. We focus on the changes you want for yourself.

No. You can attend on your own. If you would like a partner involved in a conversation about support or communication, mention this when enquiring so we can discuss arrangements. Their involvement should support your goals and comfort.

Yes. We can address self-blame, fear of disappointing a partner and difficulty expressing what feels comfortable. Therapy should support your choices and boundaries. Nobody is entitled to penetration, and you do not need to use it as a measure of relationship success.

That is a valid goal. Sessions can focus on confidence, comfort, communication or medical appointments without making penetrative sex the target. We agree what you want to change rather than assuming one type of intimacy is necessary.

We can address the stress and expectations surrounding intimacy or fertility appointments. Your GP or fertility clinic can discuss conception options and medical care. Hypnotherapy supports wellbeing; it is not a fertility treatment or a reason to delay specialist advice.

Yes, where the approaches fit your care. Tell me about your physiotherapist’s plan so sessions can support confidence and anxiety around it. Follow their advice about pelvic floor work and any physical exercises; hypnotherapy does not replace their assessment or guidance.

Hypnosis can address anticipatory fear and help you rehearse following a plan recommended by your specialist. The clinician providing that care should advise on trainers, technique and progression. Do not force penetration or push through pain to meet a target.

You can enquire without sharing details you do not want to disclose. We discuss what support you need and whether specialist trauma therapy is appropriate alongside or before hypnotherapy. Your GP or a specialist sexual violence service can help you access that care.

We talk about what feels difficult, your goals and any relevant medical care. I explain the approach and answer questions. Your first appointment includes consultation and personalised hypnosis. There is no intimate examination or physical contact.

Sessions cost £198 including VAT and last approximately 50 minutes. Your first appointment includes consultation and hypnosis. The personalised recording of each session is included for practice between appointments. You can choose a London appointment or an online session.

This depends on your goals, the difficulties you want to address and any other care you receive. We discuss a plan at your first appointment and review progress together. You can enquire about a particular examination or concern without committing to a fixed programme in advance.

Yes. After each session, you receive the personalised recording of that session to practise between appointments. It reinforces the suggestions and imagery used together. We can discuss a listening routine that fits your life and gives you quiet time to relax.

Choose a safe, quiet place where you can sit or lie comfortably without needing to stay alert. Never listen while driving or operating equipment. The recording is for your own practice and should not be played during an examination unless suitable arrangements have been agreed with your clinician.

You can begin with a simple description of what is difficult and the change you want. There is no need to find perfect words or give every detail at once. We approach the conversation sensitively and at a pace you can manage.

Sessions are private, with confidentiality and its relevant limits explained at the outset. You do not need to involve a partner. For online appointments, choose somewhere you can speak without being overheard and let me know if privacy is difficult to arrange.

Yes. My free 30-minute guided relaxation audio lets you hear my voice and get a feel for the approach. It is separate from personalised vaginismus treatment. Listen somewhere safe and comfortable where you can relax without interruptions.

Appointments are available at City Hypnotherapy Centre, Longcroft House, 2–8 Victoria Avenue, London EC2M 4NS, near Liverpool Street station and Bishopsgate. Online sessions are also available if you prefer to begin from a private space at home.

Yes. The practice is on Victoria Avenue in the City of London, a short walk from Liverpool Street station. Contact me to discuss appointment availability. You can also choose an online session if that is more convenient or feels more comfortable.

Yes. Sessions are available online by Zoom from a private, comfortable space. We discuss your experiences and use personalised hypnosis around your goals. The fee is £198 including VAT for approximately 50 minutes, with your session recording included.

Use a charged device with reliable internet, a camera and clear sound. Choose a private, quiet room and a comfortable seat where you will not be interrupted. Let me know about any access or privacy needs when arranging your appointment.

Online appointments are available elsewhere in the UK and internationally, subject to suitable arrangements. Include your location and preferred times when enquiring. We can discuss whether the service and appointment arrangements fit your circumstances.

Yes. You can begin online and discuss attending in London later, or continue online if you prefer. Let me know what suits your circumstances when booking so we can agree the format and availability.

I have practised as a clinical hypnotherapist since 2003 and hold a BSc (Hons) in Psychology, the Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma and Senior Qualification in Hypnotherapy Practice. I am CNHC registered and a GHR registered member. My About page provides more detail.

Use the contact page, call 07973 896907 or email susannah@cityhypno.co.uk. Tell me briefly what you would like help with and whether you prefer London or online. You are welcome to ask about the approach, privacy and arrangements before booking.