Combined physical and psychosexual therapy for provoked vestibulodynia-an evaluation of a multidisciplinary treatment model.

Abstract

Our objective is to standardize and evaluate a combined physical and psychosexual therapy for women with provoked vestibulodynia. Twenty-four patients underwent the treatment program. Sessions with a psychosexual counselor included issues on sexual functioning, psychological adjustments, and stress elimination. Exercises for mucosal desensitization and reestablishment of pelvic floor function were supervised by a midwife. A questionnaire was used for evaluation at a minimum of 6 months after the treatment. The mean number of appointments to the counselor was 12 (4-24) and 15 (9-26) to the midwife during a mean period of 53 weeks (19-92). Nineteen women (79%) considered themselves to be cured or having greatly improved. Intercourse frequency was increased (p = 0.001) and coital pain was reduced (p = 0.02) after completing the treatment. Improvements in sexual functioning and coping strategies for psychological impairment and stress were reported. Women with provoked vestibulodynia benefit from a multidisciplinary treatment model including desensitization of the vestibular mucosa, rehabilitation of the pelvic floor, and psychosexual adjustments.

• Authors: Helene Backman, Marta Widenbrant, Nina Bohm-Starke, Lars-Gosta Dahlof
• Journal: Journal of sex research (J Sex Res) 2008 Oct-Dec Vol. 45 Issue 4 Pg. 378-85 ISSN: 0022-4499 [Print] United States
• PMID: 18937129 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adult
• Coitus (psychology)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Dyspareunia (complications, therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Patient Satisfaction
• Psychotherapy, Brief (methods)
• Sex Counseling (methods)
• Sex Education (methods)
• Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological (etiology, therapy)
• Treatment Outcome
• Vulvar Diseases (complications, therapy)
• Women's Health
• Young Adult