Vaginismus is a condition affecting a woman’s ability to engage in any form of vaginal penetration, including sexual intercourse, insertion of tampons, and the penetration involved in gynecological examinations. An involuntary reflex of the pubococcygeus muscle causes the muscles in the vagina to tense suddenly, which makes any kind of vaginal penetration painful or impossible. The vaginismic reflex can be compared to the response of the eye shutting when an object comes towards it.
A variety of factors can contribute to vaginismus. These may be physical or physiological, and the treatment required depends on the individual. A pelvic physical therapist can assess hypertonic pelvic muscles that often affect and/or cause vaginismus.