PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOSEXUAL ASPECTS OF VULVAR VESTIBULITIS

Aims: To objectively assess the psychological and psychosexual morbidi ty of patients with vulvar vestibulitis. Methods: 30 patients with var iable degrees of vulvar vestibulitis were recruited from a vulval clin ic. Each patient underwent a detailed history and clinical examination . Friedrich's criteria were used for the diagnosis of vulvar vestibuli tis. Standardised questionnaires to assess psychological and psychosex ual function were completed by the patient before review. These questi onnaires were the STAI and a modified psychosexual questionnaire intro duced by Campion. Results: Patients experienced considerable psycholog ical dysfunction compared with controls. All aspects of psychosexual d ysfunction were affected. Conclusions: When managing patients, psychos exual and psychological issues must be considered in addition to other conventional types of therapy. Vulvar vestibulitis may be a risk fact or for developing psychosexual complications including vaginismus, low libido, and orgasmic dysfunction. Consideration of these factors must be an integral part of the management of patients with all chronic vu lval conditions.