Multimodal Sex Therapy for the Treatment of Vulvodynia: A Clinician's View

Abstract

Sex therapists are often challenged when treating women with the primary diagnosis of vulvodynia or subtypes of vulvar-vestibular pain. This article presents an overview of how a sex therapist can assess problem areas related to this diagnosis and approach treatment in a practical and comprehensive fashion. What follows is based on anecdotal clinical experience of the author. It outlines a multimodal approach that includes cognitive-behavioral techniques, both individual and conjoint therapy, as well as close cooperation with physicians who provide concurrent medical management.