Abstract:
Vulvodynia is a chronic pain disorder characterized by burning, irritation and pain of the vulva (Wylie et al, 2004). The pain is unexplained by other conditions such as infections or skin conditions. The symptoms range in severity and the condition is often under-diagnosed or misdiagnosed. Vulvodynia is recognized as a significant health problem among women (Harlow et al, 2009). Women with this condition experience both psychological distress and sexual dysfunction (Ventolini et al, 2008). In order to gain a better understanding of the impact of vulvodynia on women in the New Zealand context patients were assessed on measures of well-being, sexual function, and personality traits and compared with a sample of age-matched volunteers without vulvodynia. Vulvodynia patients often seek help from multiple clinicians (Lauren Arnold, Bachmann, Kelly, Rosen, & Rhoads, 2006), yet still find it difficult to identify clinicians that have knowledge or experience in this area (Edgardh & Abdelnoor, 2003). To ensure patient perceptions of their treatments are taken into consideration measures of treatment and treatment satisfaction were also taken. These findings will be particularly relevant given no known research has been conducted on New Zealand patients suffering from this condition. It will also provide significant input in an area not widely researched internationally. Overall, these findings are consistent with previous research the current sample showed higher levels of psychological distress (catastrophizing, anxiety and stress). Furthermore, there is some indication that vulvodynia patients are sexually affected by mood states in different ways to controls. It is possible that sexual desire also has important implications for sexual functioning in vulvodynia patients. The findings also indicate that although personality testing did not reveal significant differences between group’s differences there is still an indication that vulvodynia may have a personality dimension. There remains a lack of knowledge about vulvodynia in New Zealand amongst health professionals. Patients still struggle to receive a diagnosis and visit multiple health professions in attempts for treatment. This identifies a need to unify knowledge and treatments, raising awareness of vulvodynia in multiple disciplines. Vulvodynia patients also indicated that they were not receiving effective care or treatments from health professionals. Furthermore, the treatments are varied and not always effective. Future treatment strategies for vulvodynia should included strategies to reduce levels of anxiety, stress, fear, and maladaptive cognitions. Furthermore, future research needs to investigate the reasons that ethnic minorities are not presenting to health professionals with vulvodynia. Thus the current study has the potential to bring awareness to clinicians working in this field to treat minority women with more cultural sensitivity regarding sexual health in the hope of allowing more women to seek assistance with vulvar pain.