Has anyone heard the term "vaginismus"?

It is the fear of penetration, or painful penetration. Any ways to get over it? (Serious answers, please...don't tell me to go have sex with someone to 'cure myself'.)

Vaginal tightness, or difficulty or inability to allow penetration for intercourse is the primary symptom of Vaginismus. Normally, the vaginal sphincter keeps the vagina closed until (sexual stimulation) the need to expand and relax. This relaxation allows intercourse, childbirth, medical examination and insertion of tampons. Therefore, vaginismus occurs when the vagina is unable to relax and permit the penetration of the penis during intercourse however, when vaginismus does occur, the sphincter goes into spasm resulting in the tightening of the vagina. With some women, vaginismus prevents all attempts at successful intercourse. Vaginismus is not uncommon and may occur later in life, even if a woman has a history of enjoyable and painless intercourse.

The cause of vaginismus is often a result of an aversive stimulus associated with penetration. Some of the more common aversive stimuli are traumatic sexual assaults, painful intercourse, and traumatic pelvic exam.

Vaginismus may not only result from past sexual trauma but also the patient having strong inhibitions about sex stemming from strict religious orthodoxy or cultural norms.
This disorder does not mean that women suffering from this disorder are frigid. Many are very sexually responsive and may have orgasms through clitoral stimulation. Many women with vaginismus may seek sexual contact and sexual foreplay as long as actual intercourse/vaginal penetration is avoided.
Concepts such as penetration, intercourse and even sex can cause fear or trepidation in the mind of may a young inexperienced woman who may hear stories about painful first intercourse, which then reinforce the fear of penetration. This fear can compound and create a pattern of sexual anxiety, causing the vagina to remain dry and unrelaxed before intercourse.
The treatment of vaginismus is usually a therapy program that includes vaginal dilation exercises using plastic dilators. It is important that the use of dilators proceeds in a systematic progression under the direction of a sex therapist and should actively involve the woman's sexual partner. The treatment include gradually more intimate contact eventually culminating in successful and pain free intercourse. Sex education is also very important to counter sexual naivety and dispel any misinformation which has been identified as a factor in 90% of vaginismus cases. This education should include information about sexual anatomy, physiology, the sexual response cycle, and common myths about sex.

Acording to Yahoo Dictionary:
A usually prolonged and painful contraction or spasm of the vagina.

The only cure is just do it!

Vaginismus is a condition where a fear of penetration causes muscles in the vagina (and the rectum) to tighten enough to prevent sex from occuring.
There are several causes of vaginismus and several different cures. The single best cure is to find a very considerate partner who you trust totally not to hurt you. When you are totally comfortable and happy with a partner then you will not be afraid of them causing you pain.
Another way of curing psychological conditions is to eveluate why you suffer from them. By working out why you are afraid of something you can more easily overcome the fear.
Another thing you could try is making you vagina used to being penetrated by using your fingers, sex toys etc. If your body gets used to enjoying your fingers, yous etc inside then you may become less afraid of penetration by a man.
I hope these suggestions help!

Vaginal tightness