Managing threats to femininity: personal and interpersonal experience of living with vulval pain

Abstract

Women living with vulval pain can experience psychosocial difficulties. The current study explores the meaning and impact of vulval pain using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Interviews were conducted with eight women. Three overlapping super-ordinate themes emerged: (1) loss of femininity/sexual identity, (2) centrality of sex within relationships and (3) uncertainty surrounding the diagnosis. The participants here did not report the actual pain as being the central issue rather they felt the condition affected their sense of femininity, which was perceived in many ways as analogous to loss of sexual identity. Although they often avoided sexual contact, they also reported deep concern about the sexual needs of their partners and consequently often prioritised their partners, needs over their own in order to regain both their femininity and avoid anticipated rejection. The results indicate that the meaning the vulval pain had on the identity and relationships of the participants is the central concern in coping with this condition. These psychosocial factors need to be considered alongside existing medical management by health care professionals.

Keywords: UK; interpretative phenomenological analysis; pain; vulva pain; vulvadynia; vulvul vestibulitis.