• Lori A Brotto, Leslie Sadownik, and Sydney Thomson.
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.
• J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2010 Feb 1; 32 (2): 132-8.

ObjectiveProvoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is a common genital pain condition characterized by severe pain upon vaginal penetration. The treatment of women with PVD suggests variable efficacy across modalities. The emotional toll of PVD, because of the intimate and interpersonal nature of this sexually-provoked pain, and the relationship between PVD and anxiety, depression, and a host of subclinical emotional symptoms that may interfere with treatment, has been well documented. The role of the gynaecologist in identifying and managing these psychological symptoms has never been addressed. The goal of this study was to examine the efficacy of a brief, gynaecologist-led educational seminar on measures of psychological symptoms and sexual health.MethodsTwenty-nine women with PVD participated in three one-hour educational seminars led by a gynaecologist with expertise in the management of PVD. Participants completed questionnaires before, immediately after, and six months after the third session.ResultsThere were significant improvements in psychological symptoms of depression, anxiety, somatization, hostility, paranoid ideation, psychoticism, and the global severity index, both immediately post-seminar and at the six-month follow-up. Sexual arousal, orgasm, overall sexual function, and sexual distress also significantly improved in response to the seminars.ConclusionGynaecologist-led educational seminars delivered in a group format have a significant positive impact on psychological symptoms and sexual functioning in women who suffer from PVD.

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