Does vaginismus exist? A critical review of the literature

The basic strategies and methods for assessing and treating vaginismus were proposed by the early 20th century and have not essentially changed. Etiol ogical theories have changed over time but are not supported by controlled empirical studies. This critical review of the literature disputes the wide ly held belief that vaginismus is an easily diagnosed and easily treated se xual dysfunction. We propose a reconceptualization of vaginismus as either an aversion/phobia of vaginal penetration or a genital pain disorder.