Introduction. Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is a highly prevalent vulvo-vaginal pain condition that results in significant sexual dysfunction, psychological distress, and reduced quality of life. Although some intra-individual psychological factors have been associated with PVD, studies to date have neglected the interpersonal context of this condition. Aim.We examined whether partner responses to women's pain experience -from the perspective of both the woman and her partner -are associated with pain intensity, sexual function, and sexual satisfaction.

Introduction Provoked vestibulodynia is a prevalent yet misunderstood women's sexual health issue. In particular, data concerning relationship characteristics and psychosexual functioning of partners of these women are scarce. Moreover, no research to date has examined the role of the partner in vestibulodynia. Aims This study aimed to characterize and compare the psychosexual profiles of women with vestibulodynia and their partners, in addition to exploring whether partner-related variables correlated with women's pain and associated psychosexual functioning. Methods Forty-three couples in which the woman suffered from vestibulodynia completed self-report questionnaires focusing on their sexual functioning, dyadic adjustment, and psychological adjustment. Women were diagnosed using the cotton-swab test during a standardized gynecological examination. They also took part in a structured interview during which they were asked about their pain during intercourse and frequency of intercourse. They also completed a questionnaire about their perceptions of their partners’ responses to the pain. Main Outcome Measures Dependent measures for both members of the couple included the Sexual History Form, the Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Scale and the Brief Symptom Inventory. Women completed a horizontal analog scale assessing the intensity of their pain during intercourse and reported their frequency of intercourse per month. Results Findings show that women with vestibulodynia and their partners did not differ from population norms with regard to global sexual functioning, dyadic adjustment and psychological adjustment. However, mean frequency of intercourse was lower than the standard for this age group. Also, women had significantly poorer sexual functioning than men. In addition, a regression analysis revealed that partner solicitousness and hostility were significantly associated with higher levels of pain during intercourse. Conclusions Results suggest that although the psychosexual and relationship characteristics of partners of women with vestibulodynia are within norms, their responses may play a role in the experience of pain.

Introduction Provoked vestibulodynia is a female genital pain condition that results in sexual dysfunction and impacts negatively on the couple. Although patients' causal attributions have been linked to worse psychosexual outcomes, no study has documented the male partners' perspective of this distressing problem and its potential influence on their psychosexual adaptation. Aim To identify whether male partners' attributions for vestibulodynia are possible predictors of their dyadic adjustment, sexual functioning, sexual satisfaction, and psychological distress, as well as of women's pain and sexual functioning. Methods Thirty-eight women with vestibulodynia first completed measures of pain intensity and sexual functioning. Male partners responded to mailed questionnaires assessing their own attributions for genital pain as well as their psychological distress, relationship adjustment, sexual functioning, and sexual satisfaction. Main Outcome Measures Women completed the McGill-Melzack Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Attributions of male partners were measured using an adapted version of the Attributional Style Questionnaire (ASQ)—Partner Version. Men also filled out the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), the Sexual History Form (SHF), and the Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction (GMSEX). Results All four negative attribution dimensions and higher levels of women's pain intensity successfully predicted increased psychological distress in male partners. Higher levels of both internal and global attributions were associated with men's poorer dyadic adjustment, whereas global and stable attributions were related to their lower sexual satisfaction. Attributions failed to significantly predict sexual functioning in male partners and women's pain and sexual functioning. Conclusion Evaluation and treatment of sexual pain problems should involve both partners and should explore the role of negative attributions.

Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is a prevalent women's sexual pain disorder, which is associated with sexual function difficulties. Attachment theory has been used to understand adult sexual outcomes, providing a useful framework for examining sexual

The present study examined whether attributions for vulvo-vaginal pain predicted pain intensity, sexual function, as well as psychological and dyadic adjustment in women with vestibulodynia. Women with vestibulodynia (N = 77) completed measures of attributions, pain, psychological distress, sexual functioning, and dyadic adjustment. They also took part in a structured interview and a gynaecological examination for diagnostic purposes. Attributions are represented by: (1) internality (personal responsibility) or externality (cause lies in an external situation); (2) globality (entire life affected by the problem) or specificity (problem affecting only a specific situation); (3) stability (problem will still remain in the future) or instability (weak probability that the problem will be maintained with time); and (4) partner responsibility (partner responsible or not for the problem). Results indicated that attributions were not significantly correlated with pain outcomes. However, after controlling for pain intensity and relationship duration, internal attributions predicted higher dyadic adjustment, both global and stable attributions predicted lower dyadic adjustment and higher psychological distress, whereas global attributions also predicted increased sexual impairment. Findings suggest that cognitive factors, such as attributions, may be related to psychological distress, sexual functioning, and dyadic adjustment in women with vestibulodynia. Results also highlight the importance of adhering to a biopsychosocial perspective focusing on pain reduction, sexual rehabilitation, and relationship enhancement in the treatment of dyspareunia.