Child Abuse Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Child Abuse, including details on family violence, examinations, long-term effects, psychiatrics disorders.

Do psychosexual factors play a role in the etiology of provoked vestibulodynia? A critical review.

Desrochers G, Bergeron S, Landry T, Jodoin M

Department of Psychology, Université du Québecà Montréal and Sex and Couple Therapy Service; and the Department of Psychology, McGill University Health Centre (Royal Victoria Hospital), Montréal, Québec, Canada. genevieve.desrochers@internet.uqam.ca

The aim of this review was to critically examine published studies concerning the psychosexual aspects of provoked vestibulodynia. Despite the presence of several methodological limitations, some findings were consistently replicated. Overall, women with vestibulodynia demonstrate impaired sexual functioning, namely, lower levels of sexual desire, arousal, and frequency of intercourse. Childhood physical and sexual abuse represent potential risk factors for the development of this condition. Additionally, specific psychological states such as anxiety, fear of pain, hypervigilance, catastrophizing, and depression, are more frequently reported by these women. More rigorous studies are needed to establish which psychosexual variables may exacerbate and/or maintain vestibulodynia.

Published 9 April 2008 in J Sex Marital Ther, 34(3): 198-226.
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