Decoding Vaginismus

This nonjudgmental article offers information on what causes vaginismus, helpful language for speaking with doctors, possible treatments, resources for queer and trans folks, and more

Vaginismus is a condition that makes inserting anything—a tampon, a finger, a toy, a penis—into a vagina excruciatingly painful. It’s difficult to estimate its prevalence because it is understudied, underreported and underdiagnosed. But anyone with a vagina can experience vaginismus—trans women, trans men, non-binary people and cis women included.

Note on terminology: There’s debate in the medical world about whether "vaginismus" as a diagnosis is outdated. Along with some disturbing historical baggage, the term "vaginismus" describes a symptom, rather than the underlying medical condition causing a patient's pain -- often pelvic floor dysfunction or vestibulodynia.

SOURCE: Xtra* • AUTHOR: Andy Bandyopadhyay • LAST UPDATED: January 6, 2021