vaginismus(noun)

muscular contraction that causes the vagina to close; usually an anxiety reaction before coitus or pelvic examination

vaginismus(Noun)

A painful muscular contraction of the vagina.

Vaginismus(noun)

a painful spasmodic contraction of the vagina, often rendering copulation impossible

Vaginismus

Recurrent or persistent involuntary SPASM of the outer muscles of the VAGINA, occurring during vaginal penetration.

Vaginismus

Vaginismus, sometimes anglicized vaginism, is the condition that affects a woman's ability to engage in any form of vaginal penetration, including sexual intercourse, insertion of tampons and/or menstrual cups, and the penetration involved in gynecological examinations. This is the result of a reflex of the pubococcygeus muscle, which is sometimes referred to as the "PC muscle". The reflex causes the muscles in the vagina to tense suddenly, which makes any kind of vaginal penetration—including sexual intercourse—painful or impossible. A woman suffering from vaginismus does not consciously control the spasm. The vaginismic reflex can be compared to the response of the eye shutting when an object comes towards it. The severity of vaginismus, as well as the pain during penetration, varies from woman to woman.