Headache, Anxiety And Depression In Patients With Vaginismus

Abstract

Abstract Objective: Vaginismus is one of the most common problems among patients who apply to the sexual health outpatient clinic. It is known that sexual problems are more common in migraine and tension-type headache patients. Furthermore, the frequency of depression and anxiety is higher in both vaginismus and chronic headache patients. This study was conducted in 2021 and examined the headache characteristics, depression and anxiety in vaginismus patients. Material and methods: In this prospective study, 87 patients diagnosed with vaginismus in the sexual health outpatient clinic were interviewed. Fifty patients who agreed to participate in the study were questioned regarding headache, and Beck depression and Beck anxiety scales were applied. Results: Headache was present in 46% (n:23) of 50 vaginismus patients. Anxiety scores of patients with headaches were higher than those without headaches (p=0.032). The most common type of headache was migraine without aura (60.9%), followed by tension-type headache (30.4%). Beck depression scores of the low-income group were higher than the high-income group (p=0.006). There was no significant correlation between monthly headache frequency, total headache duration, Beck depression score, and Beck anxiety score. Conclusions: Headache is a common neurological symptom in vaginismus patients, and the frequency of migraine is higher than tension-type headaches. Anxiety values are higher in vaginismus patients experiencing a headache. Therefore, headache and anxiety should be considered in the follow-up and treatment of vaginismus patients.

Keywords

• anksiyete
• depresyon
• gerilim baş ağrısı
• migren
• vajinismus
• anxiety
• depression
• migraine disorders
• tension-type headache
• vaginismus