If I stop, then what am I supposed to do? The experiences of sexual intimacy of women who live with provoked vestibulodynia

Abstract

We explored the experiences of sexual intimacy in women living with provoked vestibulodynia (PVD), a chronic pain condition where pain at the vaginal opening is triggered by touch. We conducted in-depth interviews with nine women who had suffered from PVD. Our findings reveal that their ability to trust and accept themselves is essential to how they cope when pain disrupts their freedom to have sexual intercourse. The tendency to endure painful intercourse and not tell the partner is driven by fear of rejection and conflict. Those who are able to overcome their fear, experience deeper intimacy and more sexual pleasure.

Disclosure statement

No conflict of interest has been declared by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Norwegian Fund for Continuing Education of Physiotherapists (Fond til etter- og videreutdanning av fysioterapeuter).