Relationship Between Pain with Intercourse and Psychological Distress Among Women with Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome

Background: Vulvar Vestibulitis (VVS) is the most common cause of vulvo-vaginal pain in reproductive age women, affecting up to 15% of the general female population. Women with VVS have pain with intercourse, and sensitivity to touch on genital contact. Psychological characteristics such as anxiety and somatization are also common in the population. In this study, we sought to assess the relationship between self reported intercourse-related pain and psychological distress among women with VVS. We hypothesized that women who reported higher levels of intercourse related pain were more likely to have a higher level of psychological distress 1 year after their initial visit to the UNC Vulvar Pain Clinic.