The assessment of penetration cognitions and sexual functionality of women with sexual pain disorder in a Turkish sample: a comparative study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this investigation is to compare vaginal penetration cognitions and general sexual functionality in women with vaginismus and dyspareunia and healthy controls. Methods: A sample of 210 women (70 women with lifelong vaginismus, 70 women with dyspareunia and 70 women without painful sexual activity) completed a series of validated questionnaires. All participant received Structured Assessment Questionnaire, Golombok-Rust Sexual Satisfaction Scale, and Vaginal Penetration Cognition Questionnaire (VPCQ). Results: It was found that when compared to dyspareunia and control group, women with vaginismus have higher cognitive scores of loss of control during penetration in VPCQ. Moreover, vaginismus group have lower level of sexual knowledge, cannot penetrate their fingers into their vaginas, and do not use tampons. Both women with vaginismus and dyspareunia were reported to have more level of negative self-cognitions, catastrophe/pain and genital incompatibility cognitions than those women with no sexual complaints. Moreover, women with vaginismus and women with dyspareunia have more anorgasmia, non-sensuality and sexual dysfunctions than the control group. Conclusion: Our results revealed that Turkish women with sexual pain disorder have similar vaginal penetration cognitions with women living in Western societies. In addition, according to our results it will be beneficial to define another sub group consisting of women who have never experienced sexual intercourse under the title of genito-pelvic pain/ penetration disorder because there are noteworthy differences between vaginismus and dyspareunia.