Introduction. Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is a highly prevalent vulvo-vaginal pain condition that negatively affects women's emotional, sexual and relationship well-being. Recent studies have investigated the role of interpersonal variables, including partner responses.Aim. We examined whether solicitous and facilitative partner responses were differentially associated with vulvo-vaginal pain and sexual satisfaction in women with PVD by examining each predictor while controlling for the other.

Objective. There is a paucity of research investigating the role of interpersonal variables in vulvodynia -a prevalent, chronic, vulvo-vaginal

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Introduction There is limited knowledge regarding the symptom profile of genito-pelvic pain in pregnancy and postpartum, and potential psychosocial predictors of this pain. Prior studies have reported a positive association between prepregnancy pain and postpartum genito-pelvic pain. Greater fear avoidance has been associated with increased genital pain intensity in women, unrelated to childbirth. This relationship has not been examined prospectively in a postpartum population. Aims The study aims were to examine the symptom profile of genito-pelvic pain during pregnancy and at 3 months postpartum, and the impact of prepregnancy nongenito-pelvic pain and fear avoidance in pregnancy on genito-pelvic pain at 3 months postpartum. Methods First-time expectant mothers (N = 150) completed measures of fear avoidance (pain-related anxiety, catastrophizing, hypervigilance to pain), prepregnancy nongenito-pelvic pain, childbirth-related risk factors (e.g., episiotomy), and breastfeeding. Main Outcome Measures Those reporting genito-pelvic pain in pregnancy and/or at 3 months postpartum answered questions about the onset (prepregnancy, during pregnancy, postpartum) and location (genital, pelvic, or both) of the pain and rated the intensity and unpleasantness of the pain on numerical rating scales. Results Of 150 women, 49% reported genito-pelvic pain in pregnancy. The pain resolved for 59% of women, persisted for 41%, and 7% of women reported a new onset of genito-pelvic pain after childbirth. Prepregnancy nongenito-pelvic pain was associated with an increased likelihood of postpartum onset of genito-pelvic pain. Greater pain-related anxiety was associated with greater average genito-pelvic pain intensity at 3 months postpartum. Conclusions Results suggest that about half of women may develop genito-pelvic pain during pregnancy, which will persist for about a third, and a subset will develop this pain after childbirth. Prior recurrent nongenito-pelvic pain may enhance the risk of developing genito-pelvic pain postpartum, while greater pain-related anxiety in pregnancy may increase the risk for greater intensity of postpartum genito-pelvic pain.

To predict which women might suffer from abnormally high levels of anxiety and depression after receiving a positive genetic BRCA1 test result, series of pregenetic testing and postgenetic testing psychological measurements were performed. Of 3524 women who returned the psychological test sheets before receiving their genetic test result, 111 women were found to carry a BRCA1 mutation. We found that overall, anxiety does not increase in women who receive a positive BRCA1 genetic test result; however, women who experience high levels of anxiety before genetic testing continue to experience high levels of anxiety up to 1 year posttesting. There were differences in cancer-related distress in affected and unaffected women. BRCA1 carriers with a previous diagnosis of cancer had significantly higher levels of cancer-related distress at 1 month posttest than those without cancer. Our findings suggest that healthcare providers should consider including a brief pretest psychological assessment before initiating genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2.