REVIEWS FOR SELF HELP VIDEOTAPES:
09/28/00 Review of "Vaginismus" documentary from the Women's Therapy Center: For the $75.00 price I have to say, I was disappointed. Though it is well scripted & has lots of personal connections to other women. I felt it lacked real information on vaginismus. They, the two women that operate the Women's Therapy Center, portrayed themselves well as they are very competent women. I was mostly disappointed because I thought it was a bit boring. Basically, they call it a documentary, I would say it veered more on the description of an infomercial for their office. It was almost an hour in length, pertaining of the same 6 women patients, 4 in shadows, and 2 or 3 openly interviewed. Ross ( the therapist) & Ditza (the physical therapist) kept referring to the statement "graduated from the school of vaginismus." Which I thought really corny. However, I should state that Ross smiled & used a quotation gesture when saying that as if she too was using this in jest.
They did an excellent job detailing what they do in office, and had some good suggestions like having a women draw a picture of how she views her own vulva including details. Ditza & Ross use that as a means to understand how the women feels & relates to herself. Which is an interesting concept. They actually showed a pop-up screen that stated burning & itching are a symptom of vaginismus, which is in direct opposition of all the other literature I read which translates to the opposite: that vaginismus is a symptom of burning & itching. Plus, it seems to say that you are vaginismic in situations that I would consider isolated to individuals preferences & not actually vaginismus, such as if you cannot use tampons but can have other objects. I think that it is not necessary to use tampons to be consider free of vag. They were real efficient on stating twice that they see you till you are having intercourse & then even more times till you are at the point of enjoying it. So the follow up is excellent.Anyhow, I got a better impression when we spoke together in person on the set for 20/20 then I got in the video. I will agree that for many women they will help educate & inform & that is really is half the battle in a lot of women. Their availability 24 hours a day to their patients is an extra nice touch. In rating the video on educational information, I don't feel any more educated then before. Though I am not your average person new to the definition or complexities of the disorder. I suppose if you were a brand new person to vag, this would make you feel less lonely & help you connect that you are not "crazy." They did do a wonderful job of reiterating that it is not all in your head & a drink will not cure the problem. WTC does validate individual women's feelings & help them to regain control over their bodies with education. Andrea, the Sexuality Tutor Andrea, the Sexuality Tutor has reviewed various self-help movies for Sexual Enhancement & Education and will be adding commentary on those shortly. Please check back soon! Look around the site & check out the Q&A forum! Click here to return back to the Sexuality Tutor's homepage.
