Altered Affective Temperaments in Women With Vaginismus

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Vaginismus is one of the most frequently occurring genito-pelvic pain disorders in women. Sexual dysfunction commonly presents with comorbid psychiatric disorders, and many patients suffering from the former exhibit the latter. The objective of this study was to investigate the affective temperaments of women with vaginismus compared to healthy controls. METHODS: Forty-eight women with vaginismus and 42 age-matched healthy women were recruited and compared in terms of their scores on the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire and a sociodemographic instrument. RESULTS: Except for the scores for hyperthymic temperament, those for depressive, cyclothymic, irritable, and anxious temperaments were significantly higher in the vaginismus group than in the healthy controls (P<.05). The analysis of covariance indicated that the anxious temperament was significantly associated with covariants. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the preliminary results, women with vaginismus may be candidates for bipolar disorder. This population should therefore be screened more carefully in terms of the development of the disorder. Bipolar disorder should also be considered when treatments for comorbid psychiatric disorders are needed. © Copyright 2021 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.