Exploring the Meaning of Penetration in Women With Life Long Vaginismus

Abstract

Life Long Vaginismus (LLV) is a female sexual problem that can be defined as a woman’s life long inability or difficulty to have penetrative sex or any kind of vaginal penetration and it is not based in physiology. Considering that in the past ten years there is only one qualitative study that focuses specifically on LLV and quantitative studies, although well presented in the literature, so far did not provide much needed clarity about this condition I have decided to conduct qualitative research in order to expand our knowledge in this field as a new approach to the problem is needed. My premise is that an in depth exploration of women’s thoughts, emotions and the bodily sensations as well as taking into account women’s socio-cultural context in relation to vaginal penetration, will provide us with a better understanding of this sexual problem. I also argue that more qualitative studies on this particular topic are needed as they can form a platform, theoretical as well as practical, from which future knowledge can grow in the field of counselling, psychotherapy and sexology.