Is Vagina Dentata a Real Condition?

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Vagina Dentata refers to a mythical condition where teeth grow in the vagina, often used in cultural narratives as a warning against sexual danger. This concept is rooted in various myths across cultures, serving as a metaphor for male fears of castration and the mysteries of female sexuality. While some believe it to be fictional, discussions reveal that there are rare medical conditions, such as dermoid cysts, where teeth or hair can develop in unusual places, including the vagina. However, the likelihood of such occurrences is extremely low, and many participants in the discussion emphasize the need for credible medical evidence to substantiate claims about Vagina Dentata as a real phenomenon. The conversation also touches on the psychological implications of the myth, suggesting it reflects deeper societal anxieties regarding female sexuality and power. Overall, while the myth persists in folklore and popular culture, its basis in reality remains highly contested and largely anecdotal.
  • #61
zomgwtf said:
There have only been 5 paravaginal dermoid cysts observed in recorded english medicine. I've sent you two reports of them and posted one here (the other had graphic images). It's pretty unlikely that one of those had developed teeth. The two reports I read they had grown long clumps of hair.

You do concede, unlike cronxeh though, that dermoid cysts do present a plausible explanation for Vagina Dentata?

It would seem to, but since I'm not an expert, my concession has no value. I'm just playing it by the numbers.

If this happens it must be very rare, All speculation aside [no pun intended], I don't think we have seen any definitive evidence that a case has been documented. I would like to avoid any further speculation. If anyone has any appropriate evidence - a proper medical journal - please post it.
 
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  • #62
Ivan Seeking said:
It would seem to, but since I'm not an expert, my concession has no value. I'm just playing it by the numbers.

If this happens it must be very rare, All speculation aside [no pun intended], I don't think we have seen any definitive evidence that a case has been documented. I would like to avoid any further speculation. If anyone has any appropriate evidence - a proper medical journal - please post it.

Here is how Vagina Dentata is usually used in the medical community: an example:

http://www.springerlink.com/content/u4v14164jr424441/

Which is then cited in the New England Journal of Medicine:

http://depts.washington.edu/cfar/Princpl_Course/celum1.pdf

Because it is already established that no CONFIRMED or RELIABLE cases have ever been presented for peer review. Given the relative ease of doing so, and the need to publish or perish, it's absurd to think that such a curiosity would go unnoticed. Given also that it has been well established as a psychological issue, and that in all cases of dermoid cysts in the vagina which CAN be found, indicate that this has not happened. You're welcome of course, to draw the conclusion that in the absence of evidence refuting one's imagination, that such a thing may exist. That isn't skepticism however, nor is it science, and it sure as HELL isn't medicine.
 
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  • #63
There are no known modern cases that anyone has been able to find so far. If someone has a proper medical journal stating explicity that this has never been documented, then please post it. Personal opinions carry less weight than does even anecdotal evidence.
 
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  • #64
You guys are still talking about teeth inside of a vag?
 
  • #65
MotoH said:
You guys are still talking about teeth inside of a vag?

Unfortunately, yes. Now if everyone would act like adults, we are open to any proper evidence that anyone can find - one way or the other. By proper I mean that it must be a reference from an applicable, mainstream medical journal.
 
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  • #66
MotoH said:
You guys are still talking about teeth inside of a vag?

MotoH, it isn't for lack of trying to explain that it's a neurosis, and not an illness. If you have any ideas as to how to better communicate that, I'd be right thrilled to hear them! I'm new, and didn't expect this kind of reception given what colleagues have said about this site. It's been a strange mix of helpful and friendly, and then... this.
 
  • #67
Shalashaska said:
MotoH, it isn't for lack of trying to explain that it's a neurosis, and not an illness. If you have any ideas as to how to better communicate that, I'd be right thrilled to hear them! I'm new, and didn't expect this kind of reception given what colleagues have said about this site. It's been a strange mix of helpful and friendly, and then... this.

It's definitely plausible that it's a mental illness. However this type of thought goes back quite far... I still think that it's ALSO plausible that some sort of cyst (for actual teeth) or even some other growth which was hard/sharp in the vagina could be the origin of it all.
 
  • #68
The subject is definitely found in the psychological arena. In fact that was the first thing that I posted. Now let's move on.
 
  • #69
zomgwtf said:
It's definitely plausible that it's a mental illness. However this type of thought goes back quite far... I still think that it's ALSO plausible that some sort of cyst (for actual teeth) or even some other growth which was hard/sharp in the vagina could be the origin of it all.

Let me be really clear, Vagina Dentata isn't a mental illness, although it can be a symptom of one. It's a neurosis; a sequelae of (usually) an anxiety disorder, like Koro, and many other similar fixations. The issue is usually GAD or an acute anxiety disorder, or a result of sexual trauma. Vaginismus is an excellent example of how powerful such experiences can be in shaping mental AND physical reactions.

The other thing is that we all agree that it's POSSIBLE for such a cyst to grow, but it hasn't been documented, and Occam's Razor does a real job on that notion as the origin of the mythology. If we can get into respectable psychology, there is a lot of material one can find with a simple internet search in APA archives, or Google if you don't have access. It's considered an archetype of the "predatory" woman, or the shrew who must be tamed.
 
  • #70
Better yet, anyone finding a proper reference can send me a pm. I can't babysit this thread all night.
 

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