After experiencing vaginismus for over 15 years, Lauren found a treatment approach that finally worked - and it looked very different from the clinical, physical therapy-style dilation she'd tried before.

In this conversation, Lauren opens up about her journey from her first painful gynecologist visit at age 12 through years of inadequate medical advice ("just relax" and "have a glass of wine"), to discovering what actually helped: an arousal-first approach to dilating that prioritized pleasure over protocol.

Lauren shares the practical details of her routine - how she started so slowly she didn't even use dilators at first, why she incorporated audio porn and a magic wand into every session, and how she worked with her husband to build arousal skills before ever attempting penetrative sex together. She also discusses the role that going off birth control played in reconnecting with her libido and menstrual cycle, and how understanding her body's natural rhythms helped her succeed.

This episode offers concrete, actionable insights for anyone struggling with vaginismus, while also exploring the emotional and relational impact of living with pain. Lauren's story is a reminder that healing doesn't have to follow a rigid formula - and that sometimes the key is making the process feel less like physical therapy and more like something you actually want to do.

Connect with Lauren on instagram @tcsbooks

Connect with Mathilde on instagram @meet.baubo or mathilde@baubo.org