Let’s talk about sex. A discussion about sex can be uncomfortable, confusing and even downright mortifying — but it does not have to be. 

The Women’s Center hosted a panel on women’s sexual health last Thursday in the Orndorff Theatre that aimed to make talking about sex and sexual health easier. 

The panel featured Jenna Wise, an SU senior and editor-in-chief of The Slate; Dr. Ashlie Crewe, a physical therapist from Drayer Physical Therapy; Kathleen Rundquist, a sexual health expert from Etter Health Center; and Jayleen Galarza, a social work professor and human sexuality researcher.

The panel emphasized that simply talking about sex, knowing what is normal and what is not normal, and awareness about sexual conditions can make a difference in how a sexual experience goes. Notably, while there are a range of experiences that are normal, sex should not be painful. 

“When it comes to successful sex, it’s all about being informed,” said Crewe, who specializes in pelvic floor therapy. “The more educated you are, the better off you’ll be. You have to understand your anatomy and sexuality.” 

Crewe talked about vaginismus, a condition that involves the involuntary tightening of pelvic floor muscles, making penetration painful and difficult. 

It may or may not be experienced with all kinds of penetration, including the insertion of a tampon, or during a gynecological exam or intercourse. 

Even though vaginismus is undetectable on MRIs and ultrasounds, this does not mean it is not serious. 

“Ongoing, severe pain or inability to tolerate penetration is never normal. There’s always something you can do about it.” Crewe said.

A wide range of physical therapy options can help with vaginismus, from stretching exercises to vaginal dilators. Crewe stressed that while the physical aspect of therapy is important, women are more than their pelvic floors. 

“Vaginismus is usually caused from a combination of physical and psychological factors. Vaginismus can be caused by menopause, hormonal changes, tissue changes, life changes or stress,” she said.

Wise shared parts of her own experiences with vaginismus and sex. 

“I didn’t know what to expect about sex. I didn’t know if what I experienced was normal,” she said.

Wise compared her experience to pulling a hamstring. 

“People wouldn’t make a big deal out of it if it was a hamstring,” she said. “They make a big deal out of it because it’s a vagina.” 

Wise stressed that people have to speak up if they have pain during sex. Sex can be uncomfortable, but it should not be unbearably painful.

“It isn’t something that just goes away,” she said. “It’s something that a lot of people have, but they don’t speak up because they don’t know. There is treatment for it.”

Rundquist, a registered nurse and sexual health expert from Etter Health Center, gave an overview of sexually transmitted infections and the importance of getting tested. 

“If you’re sexually active, you should be getting routinely tested,” Rundquist said. 

Some STIs show no symptoms, but can still be damaging. Rundquist also clarified that there is no medical need to shave pubic hair.

Galarza touched on sex positivity and healthy sexuality. 

“We’re defined by the experiences and the things we grow up with. We often have a lot of shame and our culture is not open to talking about these experiences,” she said.

Cultivating a shame-free, inclusive environment should be everyone’s goal when it comes to talking about sex, Galarza said.

Finding accurate information and avoiding fear-based tactics are at the core of having a good mindset about sex. It is OK to talk about sex and sexuality, Galarza reiterated. 

“We should be able to say things like vulva and vagina and penis without turning red,” she said.

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