Determination of Dyadic Adjustment, Marriage and Sexual Satisfaction as Risk Factors for Women with Lifelong Vaginismus: A Case Control Study

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess dyadic adjustment, marriage, and sexual satisfaction as risk factors for women with lifelong vaginismus. This is a case-control study. A total of 142 women were included in the study: 71 women with a diagnosis of lifetime vaginismus constituted the study group and 71 women without a history of vaginismus/painful sexual activity constituted the control group. Data were collected using a questionnaire and the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS), the Marriage Satisfaction Scale (MSS), and the Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS). Duration of marriage ( OR = 1.344), frequency of sexual intercourse ( OR = 0.059), marital satisfaction ( OR = 1.450), sexual satisfaction ( OR = 0.901), and consensus ( OR = 1.749), which is a sub-dimension of RDAS, were found to be risk factors increasing likelihood of vaginismus by 83% ( χ2 = 140.191, p < .001). In addition, those with low level of education, diagnosed with a psychological disorder (anxiety, depression, etc.), who found their spouse’s body disgusting, who scored lower in MAS sub-dimensions, and who received lower total score in the RDAS and its satisfaction subdimension were more likely to have vaginismus ( p < .05). Duration of marriage, sexual intercourse frequency, sexual satisfaction, marital satisfaction, and consensus are important risk factors for vaginismus. It may be incomplete to consider vaginismus only as a vaginal penetration problem. Women’s demographic characteristics, dyadic adjustment, and marital and sexual satisfaction should be handled in a holistic manner.

Psychological Indicators of Sexual Quality of Life in Vaginismus-afflicted Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.

“…Furthermore, few research were found to indicate SQOL determinants in vaginismus-affected females. This is primarily due to cultural taboos surrounding sexuality issues; consequently, given the crucial role that sexual life satisfaction plays in enhancing marital relationships and family stability, as well as the paucity of research in this area, it is essential to show how psychological characteristics negatively impact the sexual quality of life between women with this issue (18) . The objective of this research was to identify the psychological variables that influence SQOL in women with vaginismus.…”