Impact of a single-session psychosocial counseling intervention for women with vulvodynia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a single session of psychosocial counseling on patients with vulvodynia. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with vulvodynia at a vulvovaginal specialty clinic were randomly assigned to receive either a one-on-one 30- to 45-min psychosocial counseling session with a psychosexual counselor plus written educational materials (intervention group) or written materials alone (control group). They completed a survey before and 6 weeks after randomization that included demographic information and validated measures of sexual function and illness perception. RESULTS: Thirty-one of 38 (81.6%) women approached chose to participate; 26 of the 31 (83.9%) completed the 6-week follow-up survey. Only the intervention group showed improvement in knowledge about vulvovaginal and sexual health, as well as in most measures of improvement in illness perception, as measured by the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (P < 0.05). When compared directly with those in the control group, patients in the intervention group reported increased understanding of their vulvar symptoms (P < 0.005) and lessened emotional impact of these symptoms (P = 0.035). CONCLUSION: Patients receiving one session of the one-on-one psychosocial counseling intervention reported improved understanding and lessened emotional impact of their vulvar symptoms, compared with the control group. This study suggests that improvement may occur following minimal intervention and supports the need for further study.

Postoperative sexual concerns and functioning in patients who underwent lysis of vulvovaginal adhesions.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine satisfaction and functioning before and after surgery among women with lichen planus, who have undergone lysis of vulvovaginal adhesions, and to compare their sexual functioning with those of women without this disorder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was approved by the University of Michigan Internal Review Board. A retrospective self-administered survey was completed by 22 women (50-76 years). Eleven women who had undergone surgery to release vulvovaginal adhesions from lichen planus answered a mailed, 75-item questionnaire about health, sexual functioning (using the Female Sexual Function Index), and satisfaction with surgical outcomes 6 months to 6 years after their lysis of vulvovaginal adhesions followed by long-term vaginal dilation. They were compared with 11 age-matched normal controls. We used descriptive statistics such as mean and SDs to describe the population and χ and t tests to determine significant differences between groups. RESULTS: Surgery in women with lichen planus scarring allowed intercourse in 55% and decreased urination difficulties in 75%. Of the patients, 91% stated they were happy with the surgery and would recommend it to others. However, sexual difficulties may persist even after surgery. Approximately 50% of the patients continue to fear pain. There continues to be differences between cases and controls in sexual discomfort and sexual satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: After surgery for lichen planus, women tend to be more likely to have intercourse, to have less urinary symptoms or infections, and to have fewer genital symptoms. However, for some, sexual difficulties persisted. It may be wise to consider sexual counseling for this population. Nevertheless, most of the patients stated that they were happy with the surgery and would recommend it to others.

Experience of symptoms, sexual function, and attitudes toward counseling of women newly diagnosed with vulvodynia.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess health beliefs and behaviors, experience of pain, coping mechanisms, sexual function, and attitudes toward counseling of patients newly diagnosed with vulvodynia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were enrolled from all newly diagnosed vulvodynia patients seen at the University of Michigan Vulvar Disease Clinic at Chelsea. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing perceptions and beliefs about their vulvodynia, coping ability, sexual function, and interest in counseling. RESULTS: Thirty-one women were enrolled, ranging in age from 21 to 81 years; 68% had current partners. On a scale of 1 to 10 (low to high), participants rated their symptoms as severe-(mean [SD] = 7.42 [1.50]), perceived little control over symptoms (2.61 [2.64]); were very concerned about symptoms (8.77 [1.73]); and were very emotionally affected by their disorder (7.00 [2.82]). During the previous 4 weeks, 52% reported low to no sexual desire; 71% reported being dissatisfied with their overall sex life; 26% were not comfortable saying no to partner sex; 23% to 36% did not attempt penetration; and for 36%, their pain was rated as high or very high. Sixty-one percent of women indicated that they would consider counseling for coping with vulvar pain. In addition, 29% (9/31) said they "would" and 48% (15/31) said they "maybe would" consider seeing a sex therapist for their vulvar pain. CONCLUSIONS: Women with newly diagnosed vulvodynia report substantial impact of vulvar pain but feel little control over symptoms. Sexual desire and sexual satisfaction are low. Most of the respondents would consider counseling to help address these issues.