Factors affecting the recovery time in vaginismus

Abstract

Aim: To examine the factors that had an impact on the treatment duration in patients presenting with a diagnosis of vaginismus. Method: This retrospective study included 62 patients who received cognitive behavioral therapy for vaginismus. Golombok Rusk Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS), Sexual Myths Scale tests and a socio-demographic questionnaire were applied to all patients. Those who responded to the treatment in the first 7 weeks were classified as 'early responders' and others as 'non-early responders’ and factors that may affect the responses were investigated. Results: Thirty-two patients were early responders (52%) and 30 patients were late/no responders (48%). Concerns regarding the pain experienced by the spouse (OR:7.4, 95% CI: 1.02-54.2, p=0.048) and the idea that sexual intercourse should always be initiated by the male partner (OR:8.98, 05% CI:1.07-75.38, p=0.043) emerged as predictors of late/no response in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Concern for female partners’ pain during sexual intercourse among male partners, and the sexual myth of “sexual intercourse should always be initiated by the male partner” among female partners seems to effect treatment response. Prospective studies in different populations are needed in the future. Prospective studies in different populations are needed in the future.

Keywords

• vaginismus
• tedavi yanıtı
• bilişsel davranışçı terapi
• vaginismus
• treatment response
• cognitive behavioral therapy