Review of the Literature on the Psychoemotional Reality of Women with Vulvodynia: Difficulties Met and Strategies Developed

Abstract

The psychological and relational difficulties experienced by women with vulvodynia are not only due to the physical pain but also to the meaning they attribute to it, often influenced by social expectations related to heterosexuality and femininity. Hence, it is important to assist these women by increasing their knowledge on the psychosocial aspects of their experience while taking into account influences from the social context.

Vulvodynia Viewed From a Disease Prevention Framework: Insights From Patient Perspectives

“…However, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization guidelines explicitly state that sexual education should enable learners to “recognize that understanding their body's sexual response can help them understand their body and can help identify when things are not functioning properly so they can seek help.” 18 Similar to us, other studies report that people with vulvodynia are uncomfortable speaking about vulvar pain—be it with HCPs, sexual partners, family, or friends—because of the perceived intimacy of the condition. 19 , 20 , 21 Comprehensive sexual education might better equip all parties—patients, their partners, and HCPs alike—with a level of relative comfort in discussing sexuality and genital sensation.…”

“…An often overlooked element of the burden of disease is vulvodynia's impact on sexual wellness and satisfaction. To this end, our study contributes to a small but powerful subset of literature 19 , 20 , 32 , 33 , 38 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 that explores how gendered sexual norms influence and exacerbate individuals' subjective experience of vulvodynia symptoms and diagnosis. Participants had been surprised by HCP suggestions that they engage in non-penetrative alternatives to intercourse as a way to enjoy sexual activity without aggravating symptoms.…”