Vaginismus is a psychophysical disorder that can be defined in different ways. There are two types of Vaginismus. Primary Vaginismus is when a woman has always had the disorder. Secondary Vaginismus is when it appears later in life due to some sort of trauma, infection, injury, surgery, abuse, etc.The basic definition is that the muscles in the pelvic floor diaphragm, which includes the anus and vagina and urethra, tighten due to anticipation of pain when penetration occurs. The medical explanation for the disorder is that the fight or flight reaction in the sympathic nervous system is engaged. Instead of fleeing when penetration is tried the women fights closing off the entrance to her vagina and says, “NO ENTRY” (58).

There are different variations to Vaginismus. Some women are able to use tampons and insert a finger into their vagina and nothing else. Others are able to have the five penetrations of life except sexual intercourse.

I believe Katz and Tabisel named their book Private Pains because it is not easy for woman to openly admit they have this problem, which leaves them to suffer alone. As a consequence of this the women feel they are the only one suffering since everyone else is hiding their disorder also. They do not want to tell anyone what they are going through for fear that they would be viewed differently. Others have gone to seek professional help and had either no help at all, or plain bad advise. Some doctors have told them that they need to relax and use lubrication because it is all in their heads. Others have referred the women to other doctors turn out not to know any more then the previous. This may and often makes the women feel that no one, not even a doctor that specializes in the female body, understands and she has to deal with it by alone.

There are also some that can tolerate the pain of a gynecological exam but nothing else. Those suffering from Vaginismus normally do not just have a fear of penetration but they are also afraid of other aspects dealing with their vagina. Aspects such as looking and touching their genitals, masturbation, receiving manual and oral sex, reaching an orgasm, or just feeling that their genitals are detached from the rest of the bodies.

In today’s society, Vaginismus is something women need to be aware of. Most of the fear associated with sex is due to the person’s

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