The Assessment of Sexual Knowledge, Marital Characteristics, Sexual Function and Satisfaction in Women with Lifelong Vaginismus

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare the sexual history traits, marital characteristics, sexual function and satisfaction level in women with and without vaginismus. Patients and Methods: The study included 36 female patients with lifelong vaginismus who presented at the psychiatry department and 36 control subjects without vaginismus or painful sexual activity. All 72 subjects were evaluated by a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was developed by researchers for assessing sexually dysfunctional patients and included detailed questions with regard to socio-demoghraphic variables, general medical and sexual history. All participant also received the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS). Results: Women with vaginismus more frequently reported a history of arranged marriage, partners' sexual dysfunction, lack of sexual knowledge, less premarital sexual experience, lower levels of sexual functioning and satisfaction (p<0.05). Interestingly, frequency of weekly sexual activity (intercourse or attempted intercourse) comparisons revealed that the vaginismus group reported more attempts. Conclusion: Several variables including partners' sexual dysfunction are associated with lifelong vaginismus. These patients tend to overcome this problem by increasing the frequency of intercourse attempt.