Treatment of vaginismus is typically systematic desensitization using graduated vaginal dilators, a form of behaviour therapy. Less often, procedures such as examination under anaesthesia and Fenton\'s operations are performed to stretch or cut the \"spastic\" vaginal muscles. The problem is understood as muscular in origin and the goal of treatment is to make penetrative sex possible. In contrast, psychosexual therapy conceptualizes vaginismus as a mind-body phenomenon: whilst the symptom is expressed via the body(soma), its origin is in mind(psyche)and body. Because of this understanding, an integrated approach is offered. The aim of therapy goes beyond tolerance of penetration to participation in sex because it is pleasurable as well as pain-free. Case material will be used to illustrate this approach.
Conflict of Interest: None disclosed
Financial Support/Funding: None disclosed
Sydney, Australia, April 2007
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