Why is penetration painful for some women?

Why is penetration painful for some women?

Jennifer Berman (Director, Berman Women's Wellness Center) gives expert video advice on: When should a woman see a doctor about painful sex?; How are sexual pain disorders diagnosed?; How is female 'sexual pain disorder' treated? and more...

If penetration is painful, it's generally due to lack of lubrication or arousal, or spasm and clenching of the pelvic floor muscles, assuming that everything else is normal. If there's not vulvadenia or infection or anything else. But spasm of the pelvic floor muscles, which is called vaginismus, which is an involuntary contraction of the lower third of the vagina, occurs as a reflex reaction in anticipation of pain. Women need to learn how to relax that muscle. Once that clenches, then it even causes more pain. So the pain begets pain.