Assessing Sexual Functioning with the Female Sexual Function Index in Women Suffering from Genito-Pelvic Pain Penetration Disorder Undergoing a Therapeutic Educational Program

Abstract

Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder is a common sexual disorder that affects an individual’s sexual health and overall well-being. Education is a therapeutic resource that presents several advantages, and it can potentially generate improvements both in pain and sexual functioning-related outcomes in patients suffering from this affliction. The objective of this study was to assess if a therapeutic educational program produced improvements in the different domains of the Female Sexual Function Index in participants suffering from Genito-Pelvic Pain Penetration Disorder. Participants were randomized into a group that received a face-to-face therapeutic educational program, a group that received the same program but online, or a control group. The Female Sexual Function Index was assessed, and analysis of the change in the domains for every group was performed using multiple t-tests. Improvements were found in the face-to-face intervention group, but only the “Pain” domain showed significant improvements (−1.1 points, p < 0.05). Improvements were also found in the online group, but they were only significant in the “Pain” and “Satisfaction” domains (−0.8 points, p < 0.05 for both). A therapeutic educational program improves pain-related outcomes, and it shows a positive tendency to also improve sexual functioning-related outcomes in patients suffering from Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder. Registration: Clinical Trials (NCT05114473).

LAY SUMMARY

Therapeutic education interventions are effective when treating pain associated with sexual activity, and show positive results involving other aspects of sexuality.

Keywords:

• Dyspareunia
• education
• pelvic pain
• sex education
• sexual dysfunctions, physiological
• sexual dysfunctions, psychological

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article and/or its supplementary materials.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.