Painful intercourse: Dyspareunia and vaginismus

Editors

Katherine M. Hertlein; Gerald R. Weeks; Nancy Gambescia

Document Type

Chapter

Publication Date

12-7-2008

Publication Title

Systemic Sex Therapy

Publisher

Routledge

Publisher Location

New York, NY

Edition

1

First page number:

237

Last page number:

262

Abstract

Dyspareunia and vaginismus are disorders involving pain and sex. The pain wreaks havoc on the sex. It sets the stage for development or reinforcement of comorbid sexual dysfunctions, negative sexual attitudes, avoidant and damaging behaviors, relationship discord, and declines in self-esteem and mood. These in turn augment the experience of pain. Despite significant overlap, pain may require certain interventions, while sexual problems may require others. The effort is a considerable one, as dyspareunia and vaginismus are difficult sexual problems to resolve.

Keywords

Dyspareunia; Mental health counseling; Psychosexual disorders; Sex (Psychology)—Testing; Sexual disorders; Vaginismus

Disciplines

Health Psychology | Medicine and Health | Psychiatry and Psychology | Psychology

Language

English

Permissions

Use Find in Your Library, contact the author, or use interlibrary loan to garner a copy of the article. Publisher copyright policy allows author to archive post-print (author’s final manuscript). When post-print is available or publisher policy changes, the article will be deposited


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