In psychoanalytic literature on masochism relatively little attention is paid to women. In this paper an attempt is made to describe masochism in women from a genetic and psychodynamic point of view. It is held that preoedipal as well as oedipal factors are important, but that primal scene-fantasies are of special significance. The opinion that masochism is a normal phenomenon in women is contradicted. This opinion is typical for our patriarchal society and has been fostered by Christian religion. The current view in psychoanalysis today is that masochism is not an inevitable concomitant of adult femininity.