Vaginismus is a common condition, known to affect an average of 1 in 500 women in developed countries with good medical statistics. The term “vaginism” refers to an involuntary contraction of the vaginal muscles characteristic of the condition, which makes penetration during sexual intercourse and even during a gynecological examination extremely painful and often impossible. The most commonly reported features of the condition are severe pain, muscle tension, and psychoemotional disturbances such as intense anxiety or fear of penetration or other forms of intimate contact. One of the most common sexual dysfunctions in the fairer sex, vaginismus is defined as primary or secondary. In the primary, the woman has never practiced vaginal sex because of the involuntary muscle contractions and the embarrassment and fear that come with them. In the secondary case, the woman had previous sexual contacts with vaginal penetration, but with the onset of vaginismus she stopped them. The treatment of this problem is strictly individual and includes biological, emotional and psychological aspects. Therapeutic methods include psychological consultations – sometimes with the patient alone, sometimes together with her partner. Medication treatments with antidepressants, anxiolytics (medications suppressing anxiety and panic), local anesthetics (pain relievers), etc. are not excluded. NEWS_MORE_BOX One of the more successful behavioral therapies involves deep muscle relaxation techniques and dilator exercises to overcome the fear of penetration. The therapy is often combined with one of the anxiolytics, such as diazepam, but in limited amounts to reduce anxiety. The use of anesthetic ointments with lidocaine is also recommended, but the data on their effectiveness in vaginismus are limited and unreliable. Innovative therapies, including the treatment with botulinum toxin (a muscle relaxant) are still in the experimental stage and are not administered by licensed medical professionals. Of particular importance is the choice of a therapist who can not only give advice on the course of treatment, but also facilitate communication between the patient and her partner, as well as suggest ways to increase their sexual satisfaction.