The journal of sexual medicine
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Quality assessment of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) is important to prevent the adoption of findings of low-quality trials into clinical practice. ⋯ The number of original articles and RCTs published in the JSM increased over time. However, the ratio of RCTs to original articles did not increase significantly. Adequate randomization and blinding methods, IRB review, and financial support are required for the conduct of high-quality RCTs.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Automatic and deliberate affective associations with sexual stimuli in women with lifelong vaginismus before and after therapist-aided exposure treatment.
The intense fear response to vaginal penetration in women with lifelong vaginismus, who have never been able to experience coitus, may reflect negative automatic and deliberate appraisals of vaginal penetration stimuli which might be modified by exposure treatment. ⋯ Relatively stronger negative (threat or global affect) associations with sexual stimuli in vaginismus appeared restricted to the deliberate level. Therapist-aided exposure treatment was effective in reducing subjective fear of sexual penetration stimuli and led to more global positive affective associations with sexual stimuli. The impact of exposure might be further improved by strengthening the association between vaginal penetration and positive affect (e.g., by using counter-conditioning techniques).
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Comparative Study
Morphometry of the pelvic floor muscles in women with and without provoked vestibulodynia using 4D ultrasound.
It has been suggested that pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) play an important role in provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) pathophysiology. Controversy in determining their exact contribution may be explained by methodological limitations related to the PFM assessment tools, specifically the pain elicited by the measurement itself, which may trigger a PFM reaction and introduce a strong bias. ⋯ Using a reliable and pain-free methodology, this research provides sound evidence that women with PVD display differences in PFM morphometry suggesting increased tone and reduced strength.
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Sexual function of women suffering from pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and/or urinary incontinence (UI) is adversely affected. However, our current understanding of the exact relationship between female sexual dysfunction and POP and/or UI is incomplete. A qualitative study can improve our understanding by describing what women themselves perceive as the real problem. ⋯ Body image plays a key role in the sexual functioning of women with POP and/or UI with the biggest impact on women's "motivation."