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vaginismus

File:1116_Muscle_of_the_Female_Perineum.png · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

EntityQ1128431· pop 45· linked from 228 articles

vaginismus

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Also known as vaginism, genito-pelvic pain disorder, sexual pain-penetration disorder

Vaginismus is a condition in which involuntary muscle spasm interferes with vaginal intercourse or other penetration of the vagina. This often results in pain with attempts at sex. Often it begins when vaginal intercourse is first attempted. Vaginismus may be considered an older term for pelvic floor dysfunction.

Key facts

Medical condition (new).name
Vaginismus
Medical condition (new).synonyms
Vaginism, genito-pelvic pain disorder, sexual pain-penetration disorder
Medical condition (new).image
1116 Muscle of the Female Perineum.png
Medical condition (new).caption
Muscles included
Medical condition (new).field
Gynecology, urology, sexual medicine
Medical condition (new).symptoms
Pain with sex or any form of vaginal penetration
Medical condition (new).onset
When first attempting to insert a tampon or at first sexual intercourse
Medical condition (new).causes
Fear of pain
Medical condition (new).risks
History of sexual assault, endometriosis, vaginitis, prior episiotomy
Medical condition (new).diagnosis
Based on the symptoms and examination
Medical condition (new).differential
Dyspareunia, Vulvodynia
Medical condition (new).treatment
Behavior therapy, gradual vaginal dilatation
Medical condition (new).prognosis
Generally good with treatment
Medical condition (new).frequency
1–7% of the female population

via Wikipedia infobox

~11 min read

Encyclopedic overview

16 sections
Contents
  • Signs and symptoms
  • Causes
  • Primary vaginismus
  • Secondary vaginismus
  • Mechanism
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatment
  • Psychological
  • Physical
  • Neuromodulators
  • Epidemiology
  • History
  • In popular culture
  • See also
  • References
  • Further reading

Vaginismus is a condition in which involuntary muscle spasm interferes with vaginal intercourse or other penetration of the vagina. This often results in pain with attempts at sex. Often it begins when vaginal intercourse is first attempted. Vaginismus may be considered an older term for pelvic floor dysfunction.

The formal diagnostic criteria specifically require interference during vaginal intercourse and a desire for intercourse, but the term vaginismus is sometimes used more broadly to refer to any muscle spasm occurring during the insertion of objects into the vagina, sexually motivated or otherwise, including speculums and tampons.

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “vaginismus” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.

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