vaginismus
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
~11 min read
Article
16 sectionsContents
- 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.