Sexual offences and forensic psychiatry: vaginismus: practice question

A Forensic Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Forensic Medicine · Sexual offences and forensic psychiatry: vaginismus

Sample item

On the wedding night a woman cannot be penetrated because of an involuntary spasm of the perineal and thigh muscles. Examination under anaesthesia shows a normal genital tract and a non-imperforate hymen. This is a recognised cause of non-consummation and is called:

ADyspareuniaBVaginal atresiaCVaginismusDVulvovaginitis

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Vaginismus

Vaginismus is an involuntary spasm of the muscles around the vaginal introitus that prevents intercourse, usually psychogenic, with a normal anatomy. It matters medicolegally as a cause of non-consummation in nullity suits.

Option by option

A. Dyspareunia
Dyspareunia is pain during intercourse, and penetration is usually possible.
B. Vaginal atresia
Vaginal atresia is an anatomical absence or closure, which examination excludes here.
C. Vaginismus (correct)
Correct. Involuntary muscular spasm with a normal tract is vaginismus.
D. Vulvovaginitis
Vulvovaginitis is inflammation with discharge and soreness, not a muscular spasm.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is C, Vaginismus. Vaginismus is an involuntary spasm of the muscles around the vaginal introitus that prevents intercourse, usually psychogenic, with a normal anatomy.

Why is "Dyspareunia" not the answer?

Dyspareunia is pain during intercourse, and penetration is usually possible.

Why is "Vaginal atresia" not the answer?

Vaginal atresia is an anatomical absence or closure, which examination excludes here.

Why is "Vulvovaginitis" not the answer?

Vulvovaginitis is inflammation with discharge and soreness, not a muscular spasm.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Sexual offences and forensic psychiatry: vaginismus in Forensic Medicine. It matters medicolegally as a cause of non-consummation in nullity suits.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Sexual offences and forensic psychiatry: vaginismus?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.