From the author: psychotherapist, sexologist, TV program expert, member of the professional psychotherapeutic league, NLP master, educational psychologist, existential neuroprogramming specialist, specialist in personal well-being and family relationships, trainer , coach To make it clear what will be discussed in this article, I will give a definition from Yadnex dictionaries: Vaginismus (from the Latin vagina - vagina), increased sensitivity of the external genitalia of a woman, as a result of which, when trying to have sexual intercourse, the muscles of the pelvic floor and vagina contract convulsively . It most often occurs due to mental trauma associated with the first rough sexual intercourse, due to antipathy towards a partner, etc.; sometimes associated with insufficient male potency and unsuccessful attempts at sexual intercourse. In some cases, convulsive contractions occur at the mere thought of possible pain during intercourse. V. can occur during careless gynecological examination, causing fear in the patient. With the elimination of fear (which is usually achieved by careful gynecological examination), V. gradually disappears; in more severe cases - restorative treatment in combination with psychotherapy. (V.A. Pokrovsky). I would also like to talk about this topic because, after watching the presentation of sexologist N.N. Stenyaeva. I found there for myself what I had been looking for for a long time for my work as a psychologist and sexologist. This is the definition of vaginismus from a practical point of view. This definition was given by gynecologists who worked with the problems of vaginismus. These are their observations when examining women in a gynecological chair. And since women with this problem quite often come to me for consultation with a psychologist, this data will be very informative for them and will allow them to understand how deep their problem is. Now, dear readers, I want to familiarize you with this information. If it is not useful to you, then I think that it will be of interest to many, and will expand knowledge in this area. So, vaginismus, its 5 degrees are indicated here.—I degree—spasm of the pelvic floor muscles can be relieved with confidence in safety—II degree - spasm of the pelvic floor muscles persists even with confidence in safety - III degree - the patient raises her buttocks to avoid inspection, contact - IV degree - the most severe form of vaginismus, the patient raises her buttocks, steps back and tightly closes her thighs to avoid vaginal penetration - V degree - the reaction manifests itself in any combination: hyperventilation, trembling, sweating, nausea, vomiting, the patient jumps from the chair, “the desire to attack the doctor.” Well, from the point of view of my work, as an experienced psychologist, I want to give you a few examples of my own , and third parties, so that it becomes clear what the problem might look like. For example, I had a couple at my appointment with whom I had to work to solve their problem. They could not begin sexual activity. Such marriages are quite rare, but they do occur. In this case, they sometimes offer artificial defloration, but usually this doesn’t help much, because the problems, after all, are “in the head,” and that’s where you have to start. Such couples can sometimes live for quite a long time, sometimes somehow adapting to their problem (using other forms of sexual activity). It happens that they have some secondary benefits: from an asexual husband, or even a partner’s homosexuality, to religious beliefs (when it is not ethical to have sex for pleasure). Or, as an option, indifference to sex on the part of the wife. There are stories when a woman could not get pregnant in the usual way, since there was no sex life, she underwent IVF (nothing scared her here), after which a child was born. It happens that a woman is not at all afraid of childbirth, but sex with a man frightens her terribly (example N.N. Stenyaeva). One of the options is interesting, which was proposed (by the way) by a male surgeon who also deals with female plastic surgery, incl. h. and artificial defloration. I won't mention his last name, because it was.