A Cognitive-Behavioral Group Program for Women with Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome (VVS): Factors Associated with Treatment Success

Kuile, Moniek M. ter; Weijenborg, Philomeen

doi:10.1080/00926230600575306

Cited by 69 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Sex therapy and behavioral pain management combined together have been reported as successful in two studies focusing on dyspareunia, although these did not include control groups [49,50]. In the first randomized trial focusing on a psychological intervention for vulvovaginal pain, Bergeron et al (2001) randomly assigned women with provoked vestibulodynia to a group cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention, biofeedback or vestibulectomy.…”

Section: Psychosexual Interventionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychosexual aspects of vulvovaginal pain

Bergeron

Likes

Steben

2014

Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecol

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Vulvovaginal pain problems are major health concerns in women of childbearing age.Controlled studies have shown that vulvovaginal pain can adversely affect women and their partners' general psychological well-being, relationship adjustment and overall quality of life. These women have significantly lower levels of sexual desire, arousal, and satisfaction, as well as a lower intercourse frequency than normal controls. They also report more anxiety and depression, in addition to more distress about their body image and genital self-image. Empirical studies indicate that specific psychological and relationship factors may increase vulvovaginal pain intensity and its psychosexual sequelae. Randomized clinical trials have shown that psychosexual interventions, namely cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), are efficacious in reducing vulvovaginal pain and improving associated psychosexual outcomes. Women reporting significant psychological, sexual and/or relationship distress should be referred for psychosexual treatment. A multimodal approach to care integrating psychosexual and medical management is thought to be optimal.Keywords: vulvovaginal pain, vulvodynia, provoked vestibulodynia, psychological adjustment, sexual function, cognitive-behavioral therapy 3 Vulvovaginal pain problems are major health concerns in women of all ages. As conditions which are often misdiagnosed, mismanaged, trivialized or ignored, they entail a great personal cost to patients and a significant financial cost to society [1]. A case in point is vulvodynia: a population-based study suggests that the lifetime cumulative incidence of vulvodynia is 16% [2, 3] and its incidence is thought to be increasing in young women [4,5]. In fact, many women suffering from vulvovaginal pain are under the age of 30, with community estimates showing that one in five women aged 18-29 report chronic dyspareunia [6]. In addition to disrupting all aspects of sexual function, controlled studies have shown that vulvovaginal pain can adversely affect women and their partners' general psychological well-being, relationship adjustment and overall quality of life [7, 8]. Because of their deleterious impact on sexuality and romantic relationships, vulvovaginal pain problems may indeed carry a heavier psychosocial burden in comparison to other pain problems common in women, with many patients reporting feelings of shame, inadequacy and low self-esteem [9]. Further, up to 45% of women with vulvodynia report a comorbid-pain condition, and having a comorbidity is associated with increased feelings of isolation and invalidation [10]. In terms of helpseeking behaviors, epidemiological results indicate that only 60% of women who report chronic vulvovaginal pain seek treatment, and 40% of these never receive a formal diagnosis [5]. A recent study involving a community sample showed that women saw an average of five physicians before diagnosis [10]. The quality of health care received by this patient population is thus less than optimal. It has been suggested that a multi...

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Section: Psychosexual Interventionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychosexual aspects of vulvovaginal pain

Bergeron

Likes

Steben

2014

Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecol

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“…Investigations by ter Kuile and Weijenborg (2006) and McKay and colleagues (2001) show promising results for B/CB treatments. Electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback was taught to 29 women.…”

Section: Dyspareuniamentioning

confidence: 94%

“…After four to six months of use, over twothirds reported increased sexual activity and 89% reported greatly reduced pain (McKay et al, 2001). Alternately, GCBT was used with 67 women and after 12 sessions participants reported significantly less vaginal pain and tension (ter Kuile & Weijenborg, 2006). Danielsson, Torstensson, Brodda-Jansen and Bohm-Starke (2006) compared a topical cream with EMG biofeedback.…”

Section: Dyspareuniamentioning

confidence: 98%

The behavioral and cognitive-behavioral treatment of female sexual dysfunction: how far we have come and the path left to go

Stinson

2009

Sexual and Relationship Therapy

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To cite this article: Rebecca D. Stinson (2009) The behavioral and cognitive-behavioral treatment of female sexual dysfunction: how far we have come and the path left to go, Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 24:3-4, 271-285, Over the past several decades, researchers have been trying to determine efficacious treatments for sexual dysfunctions. While sexual dysfunction is problematic for both men and women, studies have shown women consistently deal with it at higher rates than men. Proposed treatment modalities come in many forms, yet many outcome studies support the use of behavioral or cognitive-behavioral interventions when addressing female sexual dysfunction. This paper will review the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction, provide a brief history of its treatment, and outline studies that used behavioral and cognitivebehavioral treatments. Lastly, a discussion will address the need for psychologists to continue researching, improving and promoting the use of psychological interventions for women who present with concerns related to sexual functioning.

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“…The development and maintenance of sexual pain disorders has been repeatedly conceptualized as cyclical in nature, usually within cognitive-behavioral frameworks, whereby physiological, psychological and interpersonal variables contribute to the exacerbation of symptoms over time [72,73]. The relationship between the sexual pain disorders has also been described in a cyclical fashion, whereby symptoms of dyspareunia may lead to symptoms of vaginismus, and vice versa [74].…”

Section: The Vicious Cyclementioning

confidence: 98%

Management of Female Sexual Pain Disorders

Boyer

Goldfinger²,

Thibault-Gagnon³

et al. 2011

Advances in Psychosomatic Medicine

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Our understanding of the sexual pain disorders vaginismus and dyspareunia has been fundamentally altered over the past two decades due to increased attention and empirically sound research in this domain. This increased knowledge base has included a shift from a dualistic view of the etiology of painful and/or difficult vaginal penetration being due to either psychological or physiological causes, to a multifactorial perspective. The present chapter reviews current classification and prevalence rates, including ongoing definitional debates. Research regarding the etiology, assessment and management of sexual pain disorders is discussed from a biopsychosocial perspective. Cyclical theories of the development and maintenance of sexual pain disorders, which highlight the complex interplay among physiological, psychological and social factors, are described. Medical/surgical treatment options, pelvic floor rehabilitation and psychological approaches are reviewed, as well as future directions in treatment research.

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A Cognitive-Behavioral Group Program for Women with Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome (VVS): Factors Associated with Treatment Success

Cited by 69 publications

References 16 publications

Psychosexual aspects of vulvovaginal pain

Psychosexual aspects of vulvovaginal pain

The behavioral and cognitive-behavioral treatment of female sexual dysfunction: how far we have come and the path left to go

Management of Female Sexual Pain Disorders

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