What Is Vaginismus?

If sex, tampon use, or internal exams feel painful, impossible, or trigger fear in your body — you’re not alone. You might be experiencing vaginismus, and while it can feel overwhelming, it is treatable.

Vaginismus is more common than most people think, and it doesn’t mean you’re broken or doing something wrong. With the right support, it’s possible to experience penetration without fear, pain, or shutdown.

So, What Is It?

Vaginismus is a condition where the muscles around the vaginal opening tighten involuntarily, making any kind of penetration difficult, painful, or sometimes impossible.

This response isn’t conscious — it’s your body trying to protect you. But over time, it can create a cycle of:

Pain → fear → tension → avoidance

Which makes it even harder to feel safe or aroused during penetration.

Common Signs & Symptoms

• Penetration feels like “hitting a wall”

• Sex, tampon use, or internal exams are painful or impossible

• Your body tenses or recoils at the idea of penetration

• You feel anxiety, shame, or panic around penetration

• You’ve been dismissed or told “it’s just in your head”

What Causes It?

• Painful or traumatic first-time experiences

• Fear-based or shame-based sex education

• Perfectionism or performance anxiety

• Past trauma

• Disconnection from the body

You don’t need to know exactly when it started. What matters is that support is possible and available.

What Can You Do About It?

There are trauma-informed, evidence-based approaches that help:

• Interrupt the pain–fear–tension cycle

• Rebuild trust with your body

• Connect to safe, supported pleasure