Why have you both come? Emotional, relationship, sexual and social issues raised by heterosexual couples seeking sexual therapy (in women referred to a sexual difficulties clinic with a history of vulval pain)

Abstract

Women diagnosed by a dermatologist with vulvodynia, the majority with vulvovestibulitis, were interviewed prior to commencing couple sexual therapy by a research psychotherapist. The transcribed interviews were analysed for themes by the research psychotherapist, which identified five themes as experienced by most of the couples. These were: the concept of emotional distress; issues of failure and loss; a specific damaging effect on the couple relationship; emotional isolation; and feeling uncared for by the medical profession who had “sent them” (for therapy). All the couples described their medical problems in detail. The women were still on occasions able to accept penetration from their partner despite experiencing pain. The couples were seeking to find a “cure” for the problem and all expressed relief at being heard and of being taken seriously. These themes, the other shared issues and the relevance to therapy is discussed.

Keywords:

• couple therapy
• vulval pain
• sexuality
• dyspareunia
• vulvodynia