Back to Health A to Z. Vaginismus is when the vagina suddenly tightens up just as you try to insert something into it. It can be painful and distressing, but it can be treated. Vaginismus is the body's automatic reaction to the fear of some or all types of vaginal penetration. Occasionally, you can get vaginismus even if you have previously enjoyed painless penetrative sex.
Management of vaginal penetration phobia in Arab women: a retrospective study
Management of vaginal penetration phobia in Arab women: a retrospective study
Functional sexual pain disorders in women are a particular challenge to the gynecologist, inasmuch as phobic avoidance and guarding on the part of the patient lead to difficulties in the gynecological examination and diagnosis. In some such cases examination may even be impossible. Vaginismus is the commonly diagnosed etiology of such cases. This article offers an overview of vaginismus and approaches to its treatment but also examines a subset of penetration-avoidant patients who do not appear to have a pain component. We have reviewed this separate category conceptually and clinically, and propose that this case subset be separated from the diagnosis of vaginismus and designated as vaginal penetration phobia VPP.
Vaginismus is common. In the UK, it affects 1 in women. Valeria is 29 yrs old, single, and works in public relations.
Vaginal penetration phobia is a common and distressing problem worldwide. It interferes with vaginal penetrative sexual relations, and leads to unconsummated marriage UCM. This problem may be heightened in Arab women, due to cultural taboos about pain and bleeding, that may be associated with the first coital experience after marriage. Data about this problem is scarce in Arab societies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of these women and their husbands to an individualized, psychotherapeutic assessment and treatment to resolve this problem.