“Will I ever be a true woman?” An exploration of the experiences of women with vestibulodynia

Groven, Karen Synne; Råheim, Målfrid; Håkonsen, Elin; Haugstad, Gro Killi

doi:10.1080/07399332.2015.1103739

Cited by 21 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Previous qualitative studies have shown that PVD can have a significant negative impact on a woman`s self-esteem (Ayling and Ussher, 2008;Connor et al, 2008;Groven, Råheim, Håkonsen and Haugstad, 2015;Sadownik et al, 2012). Studies have reported that a woman`s sexual function and behaviour have a significant relationship with her genital self-image (Herbenick et al, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recovering from provoked vestibulodynia: Experiences from encounters with somatocognitive therapy

Danielsen

Dahl-Michelsen

Håkonsen

et al. 2018

Physiotherapy Theory and Practice

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Although provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) represents a significant challenge for many young women in the Western world, little is known about how these women experience therapeutic efforts. The aim of this paper is to enhance our knowledge of the way that the therapeutic process is experienced by women with PVD undergoing somatocognitive therapy (SCT). The study enhances insight into this recently developed therapy through a detailed description of the physiotherapy approach. The empirical data are based on interviews with six women who participated in SCT. The empirical data analysis is guided by thematic analysis. Our findings demonstrate how the women experience SCT as a bodily process of wholeness. The process of wholeness relates to new experiences in the women's own bodies, awareness of muscular and mental tension and relaxation, breathing patterns, and perceptions focusing on pain. The findings are presented as three interrelated themes: 1) sensitizing the body as an interconnected unit; 2) incorporating the painful pubic region into the body; and 3) developing a new understanding of oneself. The women who participated in this study found that SCT contributed significantly to the process of their recovery from PVD.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recovering from provoked vestibulodynia: Experiences from encounters with somatocognitive therapy

Danielsen

Dahl-Michelsen

Håkonsen

et al. 2018

Physiotherapy Theory and Practice

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“…University Hospital, Norway, in an attempt to alleviate the burden of longstanding pelvic and gynecological pains (19)(20)(21). In recent years, SCT has been modi ed and further developed to treat women with PVD, based on experiences from a pilot study (22), from PVD patients (23) and physiotherapy students treating PVD patients (24). Whereas multimodal physiotherapy treatments are usually provided by physiotherapists specialized in women's health, SCT is intended to be implemented in primary care and designed to be easy to learn.…”

Section: Somatocognitive Therapy (Sct) Is An Existing Multimodal Physiotherapy Intervention Developed At Oslomentioning

confidence: 99%

Feasibility and Acceptability of Somatocognitive Therapy in the Management of Women with Provoked Localized Vestibulodynia - ProLoVe Feasibility Study

Kaarbø¹,

Danielsen²,

Haugstad³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Background: Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is a prevalent chronic pain condition especially among young women. Pain is localized to the vulvar vestibule and is provoked by touch or pressure, such as penetrative intercourse. PVD can have profound consequences, adversely affecting a woman’s sexual life, relation to her partner and her psychological health. There is an urgent need for well-designed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to identify the most effective interventions for this neglected women’s health condition. Aims: The primary aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of undertaking a full-scale RCT of somatocognitive therapy (SCT), a multimodal physiotherapy intervention, for women with PVD. The secondary aim is to evaluate implementation and acceptability of SCT and its potential treatment effectiveness in PVD. In the full-scale RCT SCT will be compared to standard PVD treatment.Methods: This multi-method feasibility study utilized a single subject study design with nested qualitative data. Ten women with PVD, aged 18-35, were recruited from the Vulva Clinic at Oslo University Hospital. The intervention took place at Oslo Metropolitan University. Participants were assessed at baseline, post-treatment and at the eight month’s follow-up with the tampon test and self-report questionnaires. The main feasibility outcomes were evaluation of recruitment rate, adherence to assessment tools and follow-up rate. The participants’ experiences with the primary outcome and the intervention were explored with semi-structured interviews. Results: Ten out of 18 eligible patients were recruited over 11 weeks. None were lost to follow-up. Adherence to self-report questionnaires was excellent. Adherence to tampon tests and to the reporting of treatments was good, whereas adherence to the 14-day diary was poor. No adverse events were reported. The tampon test was suboptimal as a primary outcome. SCT was found to be an acceptable treatment based on Global Perceived Effect scores and the participants’ experiences.Conclusion: The findings suggest that it is feasible to deliver a full-scale RCT of the SCT intervention for women with PVD. Some changes are suggested to optimize the protocol, such as increasing recruitment sites, change of primary outcome measure and adding a booster session. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04208204, Registered December 23, 2019 – Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04208204

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“…These women experience vulvar pain through direct touch, such as sexual intercourse, tampon insertion or physical examination. Most women with vulvodynia complain of pain during sexual activities (dyspareunia) or of inability to have intercourse due to pain . Localised, provoked vulvodynia is often associated with vaginismus: involuntary spasms of the pelvic floor muscles provoked by touch, which narrow or close the vaginal opening .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Women with vulvodynia have reported a reduced quality of life, including anxiety and depression, as well as feelings of shame and guilt regarding the pain in their genital area . Because women with vulvodynia have challenges with or are unable to perform penetrative vaginal intercourse, they describe themselves as fake or inauthentic women, and as incomplete girlfriends or wives . Indeed, vulvodynia is reflected in couple's relationships.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indeed, vulvodynia is reflected in couple's relationships. Not only does sexual pain shape couples' sex life , but it also may affect a relationship's stability and shape . Vulvodynia in a couple may strain the relationship, but its effect may also be neutral, and it can even be empowering, depending on the women and their partners' pain behaviour models .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Women with vulvodynia: awareness and knowledge of its care among student healthcare staff

Törnävä

Koivula

Helminen

et al. 2017

Scandinavian Caring Sciences

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“Will I ever be a true woman?” An exploration of the experiences of women with vestibulodynia

Cited by 21 publications

References 25 publications

Recovering from provoked vestibulodynia: Experiences from encounters with somatocognitive therapy

Recovering from provoked vestibulodynia: Experiences from encounters with somatocognitive therapy

Feasibility and Acceptability of Somatocognitive Therapy in the Management of Women with Provoked Localized Vestibulodynia - ProLoVe Feasibility Study

Women with vulvodynia: awareness and knowledge of its care among student healthcare staff

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