Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (Vaginismus)

Jeffrey D. Quinlan, FAAFP, MD Reviewed 05/2023

BASICS

Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder is the name of the conditions formally known as vaginismus and dyspareunia. Vaginismus results from involuntary contraction of the vaginal musculature. P...

DIAGNOSIS

DSM-5 has combined vaginismus and dyspareunia in a condition called genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder.

HISTORY

Complete medical history
Full psychosocial and sexual history, including th...

TREATMENT

Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder may be successfully treated (1)[B].
Meta-analysis of RCTs documented a trend toward higher efficacy of active treatment vs controls, whereas the meta-...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Desensitization techniques of gentle, progressive, patient-controlled vaginal dilation

Patient Monitoring

General preventive health care

DIET

No special diet

PATIENT EDUCATION

REFERENCES

Landry T, Bergeron S. How young does vulvo-vaginal pain begin? Prevalence and characteristics of dyspareunia in adolescents. J Sex Med. 2009;6(4):927–935. [...

ADDITIONAL READING

Basson R, Wierman ME, van Lankveld J, et al. Summary of the recommendations on sexual dysfunctions in women. J Sex Med. 2010;7(1, Pt 2):314–326. ...

CODES

ICD10

N94.2 Vaginismus
N94.1 Dyspareunia

SNOMED

266598008 vaginismus due to non-psychogenic cause (finding)
71315007 Dyspareunia (finding)
198402002 Dyspareunia due to non-psychogenic cause in the fem...

CLINICAL PEARLS

In a patient with suspected genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder, a complete medical history, including a comprehensive psychosocial and sexual history and a patient-centric, patien...

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