Vaginismus and Dyspareunia: Relationship with General and Sex-Related Moral Standards

Abstract

Introduction Relatively strong adherence to conservative values and/or relatively strict sex-related moral standards logically restricts the sexual repertoire and will lower the threshold for experiencing negative emotions in a sexual context. In turn, this may generate withdrawal and avoidance behavior, which is at the nucleus of vaginismus. Aim To examine whether indeed strong adherence to conservative morals and/or strict sexual standards may be involved in vaginismus. Main Outcome Measures The Schwartz Value Survey (SVS) to investigate the individual’s value pattern and the Sexual Disgust Questionnaire (SDQ) to index the willingness to perform certain sexual activities as an indirect measure of sex-related moral standards. Methods The SVS and SDQ were completed by three groups: women diagnosed with vaginismus (N = 24), a group of women diagnosed with dyspareunia (N = 24), and a healthy control group of women without sexual complaints (N = 32). Results Specifically, the vaginismus group showed relatively low scores on liberal values together with comparatively high scores on conservative values. Additionally, the vaginismus group was more restricted in their readiness to perform particular sex-related behaviors than the control group. The dyspareunia group, on both the SVS and the SDQ, placed between the vaginismus and the control group, but not significantly different than either of the groups. Conclusions The findings are consistent with the view that low liberal and high conservative values, along with restricted sexual standards, are involved in the development/maintenance of vaginismus.

Marriage consummated for 32 Iranian women using therapist-aided exposure therapy: a brief report

“…Such cultural phenomena may explain why a significant percentage of participants expressed disgust during the insertion of a finger into the vagina (Merghati Khoei, 2006). The findings are consistent with the view of Borg et al (2011) that adherence to low liberal and high conservative values along with restricted sexual standards could be involved in the development and/or maintenance of vaginal reactions (Borg et al, 2011). Furthermore, because the actual wrong doing or transgressing may elicit a disgust response, the latter may further strengthen negative emotionality towards sexual cues (Borg, de Jong, & Weijmar Schultz, 2010).…”

“…During the pre-exposure sessions that lasted 30 minutes, the couple was taught how to identify irrational cognitions and beliefs and negative self-talk, and how to convert these into more functional cognitions (Borg, de Jong, & Weijmar Schultz, 2011;Van Lankveld et al, 2006). During the post-exposure sessions, learned skills and irrational fearful cognitions regarding each penetration exercise were mutually discussed and challenged (15 minutes).…”

Correlational and experimental analyses of the relation between disgust and sexual arousal

“…In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders, fourth edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR; APA, 2000) vaginismus is classified as a sexual dysfunction in which pelvic floor muscles contract, preventing penetration or making it painful to endure. Among women with this disorder, disgust propensity, the trait-like degree to which a person responds to disgust stimuli, is higher than that of women without vaginismus (Borg et al, 2010). Even when compared to women with other sexual dysfunctions, women with vaginismus report higher disgust propensity (Borg et al, 2010).…”

“…Among women with this disorder, disgust propensity, the trait-like degree to which a person responds to disgust stimuli, is higher than that of women without vaginismus (Borg et al, 2010). Even when compared to women with other sexual dysfunctions, women with vaginismus report higher disgust propensity (Borg et al, 2010). Further, women with vaginismus tend to associate disgust-relevant words more readily with sexual words than do women without any reported sexual dysfunction or women with other sexual dysfunctions (Borg et al, 2011).…”

“…Correlational research of women with sexual dysfunctions, particularly vaginismus, has found preliminary support for disgust-based rejection of sexual stimuli (Borg et al, 2010; Borg et al, 2011). In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders, fourth edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR; APA, 2000) vaginismus is classified as a sexual dysfunction in which pelvic floor muscles contract, preventing penetration or making it painful to endure.…”