The Characteristics of Primary Vaginismus in an Asian Society.

The Characteristics of Primary Vaginismus in an Asian Society, Cherng-Jye Jeng, Cathay General Hospital and Fu-Jen Catholic University School of Medicine; Jenta Shen, California Pacific Medical Center; Lih-Rong Wang, National Taiwan University School of Social Work; Chii-Ruey Tzeng, Taipei Medical University 

We studied the characteristics of vaginismic women, their partners, and their families in an Asian society. 120 couples of unconsummated coitus due to vaginismus were enrolled. Clinical diagnosis was made first after detailed history taking and clinical examination. A questionnaire regarding characteristics of vaginismus was finished after face-to-face interview before treatment and 3 months and 12 months later. Sex therapy based on Masters and Johnson's method was completed. Characteristics of vaginismic women, their families of origin and their partners were recorded. A domineering or threatening alcoholic father, domestic violence, frequent conflicts between parents, father's overprotection, and father's cherishing were found to be the predisposing factors of vaginismus. A gentle, kind, considerate, and passive male partner was also an important cause of vaginismus-induced unconsummated marriage in this study. Contrary to past studies in the literature, we did not find females with history of sexual violation, insufficient sex education, bad experience with enema or suppository during childhood, or religious orthodoxy as having a high prevalence of vaginismus. We also noticed that male erectile dysfunction was the result instead of the cause of vaginismus. Vaginismic women had no negative cognition to sex, but felt uncomfortable, and they all thought sexual intercourse was painful, and 90% thought their vagina was too small for a penis. The etiology of vaginismus is complicated, and male factors are important to lead these couples to unconsummated coitus.