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What is vaginismus? Vaginismus is a condition involving spasm in the muscles of the pelvic floor. Vaginismus makes sexual intercourse, vaginal examination and inserting a tampon extremely painful and difficult. It is an involuntary contraction seen in the pelvic muscles when an object is inserted which tightens it up. This, …

Definition Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a severe bilateral chronic allergic inflammatory disease of the ocular surface. In most of the cases, the disease is limited to the tarsal conjunctiva and to the limbus. However, in the more severe cases, the cornea may be involved, leading to potentially sight threatening complications. …

Definition Vocal cord paralysis occurs when nerve impulses to your larynx get interrupted by a neurological condition or by damage to the nerves from trauma, tumor or infection. Not only can the paralysis affect your ability to speak, it can affect your breathing because your vocal cords also protect your …

Definition Vasculitis is a general term referring to a rare group of conditions marked by inflammation of blood vessels, causing them to be weakened, thickened, narrowed (stenosis), enlarged (aneurysm), blocked (occlusion), or scarred. There are many types of vasculitis based on the size of the vessel affected and may or …

Definition Vaginal dryness is a common problem experienced by up to one in three women, particularly those who are going through menopause or those who experience early menopause symptoms. The female sex hormone estrogen is responsible for maintaining your natural lubricant. When your estrogen levels decrease you are more likely …

Definition The term Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) refers to a group of serious illnesses caused by particular viruses. There are four VHFs that are of major concern from an Infection Control Perspective as they can be transmitted directly from humans to humans, and are a hazard for staff handling blood …

Definition Vulvodynia is the term used to describe the condition experienced by women who have the sensation of vulval burning and soreness in the absence of any obvious skin condition or infection. The sensation of burning and soreness of the vulva can be continuous (unprovoked vulvodynia), or on light touch, …

Definition Vertigo is a type of dizziness that can last just for a short period of time (minutes) or that can last for hours or even days. People who have vertigo have a false feeling of their surroundings moving or spinning. This is usually accompanied by a feeling of sickness …