Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD), or recurrent vulvar pain, is a prevalent condition
among women. Although research has documented that PVD is associated with sexual
problems, little research has systematically examined the intimate relationships of affected women. The general purpose of the current studies was to comprehensively
examine sexual and relationship functioning among women with provoked vulvar pain.
In order to do so, three related studies were conducted. The first study was a systematic review of the literature examining sexual and relationship satisfaction among PVD-affected
women. Secondly, an online study was conducted using both standardized and
qualitative measures to examine sexual, relationship, and psychological functioning
among women with self-reported provoked vulvar pain and their male partners in
comparison to controls. The online study also examined associations between affected
women’s pain and women and partner’s functioning. The final study was a laboratory-based study that included women with PVD and matched control women and examined psychosexual functioning, including sexual and relationship satisfaction, and vestibular pain sensitivity; additionally, this study examined potential associations between women’s pain and self-reported functioning. Overall, these studies suggest that women with provoked vulvar pain experience decreased sexual functioning, sexual satisfaction, and psychological functioning in comparison to control women, and that pain-affected partners experience decreased sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction. The findings also indicate that some aspects of women’s pain experiences are related to their self-reported functioning and to that of their partners. This research has implications for
understanding the potential sexual and relationship consequences associated with
provoked vulvar pain, and is among the first to comprehensively examine affected
partners’ functioning. It is hoped that these studies will contribute novel information to the vulvar pain literature, and that they will encourage future research examining sexual and relationship functioning among women with provoked vulvar pain and their partners. / Thesis (Ph.D, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2010-08-25 12:02:29.446
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:OKQ.1974/5989 |
| Date | 25 August 2010 |
| Creators | SMITH, Kelly B. |
| Contributors | Queen's University (Kingston, Ont.). Theses (Queen's University (Kingston, Ont.)) |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner. |
| Relation | Canadian theses |
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