Mindfulness and Management of Low Desire and Vulvovaginal Pain.

Mindfulness is defined as present-moment, nonjudgmental awareness. By reducing self-criticism, and depression, and increasing self-compassion, attention, and interoceptive awareness, mindfulness has been found across a variety of systematic reviews and meta-analyses to significantly improve sexual desire, sexual pain, and sex-related distress. It helps individuals connect with their bodies, fostering a deeper understanding of sensations and desires while reducing the focus on negative, judgmental, and catastrophic sex-related and pain-related thoughts. By teaching individuals to focus on bare sensations, mindfulness has also been found to significantly reduce vulvovaginal pain intensity with improvements retained a year later.

An effective non-hormonal option with high tolerability for mild to moderate symptoms of vaginal dryness associated with menopause.

OBJECTIVES: The efficacy and tolerability of a non-hormonal pessary (that forms an oil-in-water emollient with the vaginal fluid) were assessed for the treatment of symptoms of vaginal dryness associated with menopause. STUDY DESIGN: Seventy-nine postmenopausal women (mean age 60.8 ± 6.5 years) with mild to moderate symptoms of vaginal dryness (including dyspareunia) were enrolled in this open-label, prospective, post-market clinical follow-up trial, conducted in 2022 by one research center in Germany. The investigational pessary was applied for the first 7 days once daily and the subsequent 31 days twice a week, at bedtime. A treatment-free period of 6 days completed the trial. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: During the trial, participants filled out questionnaires that enabled the calculation of a total severity score for subjective symptoms of atrophy-related vaginal dryness and impairment of daily as well as sexual life. Furthermore, vaginal health index and safety were studied. RESULTS: A rapid and significant reduction in the severity scores for symptoms was observed over the 38-day course of treatment and beyond. Quality of life assessed by DIVA (day-to-day impact of vaginal aging) questionnaire, dyspareunia and vaginal health index also clearly improved. The tolerability was mainly rated as "good to very good" by the investigator and 94.9 % of participants. The vast majority were very satisfied with the simple and pleasant handling. No serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSION: Overall, the presented data suggest that the investigated non-hormonal pessary is an effective and well tolerated treatment option for vaginal symptoms associated with dryness, thus improving quality of life for women, even those who are sexually active. CLINICALTRIALS: gov identifier NCT05211505.

Postmenopausal endometriosis: a challenging condition beyond menopause.

IMPORTANCE AND OBJECTIVE: Postmenopausal endometriosis is a complex condition that challenges the conventional belief that endometriosis resolves with menopause. Despite the cessation of menstruation, a subset of women continues to experience or develop endometriosis-related symptoms during the postmenopausal period. Thus, this review aimed to shed light on postmenopausal endometriosis, exploring its clinical features, diagnostic considerations, management approaches, and the potential impact on women's health. METHODS: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were used for the research, with only articles in English language, using the following terms: "postmenopausal endometriosis," "menopause," "management," "treatment," and "quality of life," from inception to 2023. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The clinical features of postmenopausal endometriosis include persistent or recurrent pelvic pain, dyspareunia, bowel, or urinary symptoms and, occasionally, abnormal vaginal bleeding. The absence of menstrual cycles presents a diagnostic challenge, as the traditional diagnostic criteria for endometriosis rely on menstrual patterns. Visual cues may be less evident, and the symptoms often overlap with other gynecological conditions, necessitating a thorough evaluation to differentiate postmenopausal endometriosis from other potential causes. Management approaches for postmenopausal endometriosis encompass surgical intervention, hormonal therapies, pain management, and individualized care. Postmenopausal endometriosis significantly impacts the quality of life, sexual health, and long-term well-being of women. Understanding the clinical features, diagnostic challenges, and management approaches of postmenopausal endometriosis is crucial for healthcare professionals to provide effective care and to improve the quality of life of women affected by this condition.

Is there a role for platelet rich plasma injection in vulvar lichen sclerosus? A self-controlled pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Owing to the evidence that as many as 30-40% of patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) fail to report a remission of symptoms with first-line corticosteroid treatment (TCS), especially as what regards dyspareunia, we aimed to analyze patients' satisfaction following vulvar injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP). This is intended as an adjunctive treatment, to be used following TCS, and appears to promote tissue repair. It may also possibly have immunomodulatory proprieties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with VLS were considered eligible for this pilot study if, despite having been treated with a 3-month TCS regimen, they reported a persistence of symptoms. PRP was produced in a referral center using a manual method and a standardized protocol. Each patient received three treatments 4 to 6 weeks apart. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients with a median age of 53 years [IQR 38-59 years] were included in the study. 6 months after the last injection of PRP all patients were either satisfied or very satisfied with the treatment (100%; 95% CI 93-100%). Median NRS scores for itching, burning, dyspareunia and dysuria were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) and FSFI, HADS and SF-12 questionnaires revealed a significant improvement in sexual function, psychological wellbeing and quality of life (p < 0.05). The number of patients reporting the need for maintenance TCS treatment was reduced by 42% (p < 0.001) and an improvement in vulvar elasticity and color was reported in all patients. CONCLUSION: Following standard medical therapy, PRP may be effective not only in improving symptoms, but also in restoring function.

The quality, suitability, and readability of web-based resources on endometriosis-associated dyspareunia: A systematic review.

People commonly and increasingly rely on the internet to search for health information, including those related to endometriosis-associated dyspareunia. Yet the content of such websites may be of variable accuracy and quality. This review aims to evaluate the quality, readability, and suitability of web-based resources on endometriosis-associated dyspareunia for patients. We searched 3 databases - Google, Bing, and Yahoo - to identify websites related to endometriosis-associated dyspareunia. Two independent reviewers screened the search results against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Another set of two reviewers evaluated the selected websites using validated measurement instruments. Out of 450 websites, 21 met the inclusion criteria and were evaluated. More than half of the websites had information on content updates, reported on authorship, or disclosed sponsorship information. The mean quality and suitability scores were 47.5 (SD = 13.3) and 65.2 (SD = 13.6) respectively, thus suggesting generally adequate quality and suitability levels. However, the mean readability scores exceeded the recommended level for health-related websites. The poor readability of the websites might limit accessibility for a significant proportion of patients with low educational levels. The findings of this review have implications for designing high-quality, readable and up-to-date web interventions for people who rely on web platforms as an alternative or complementary source of health information on dyspareunia.

Sexual Dysfunction and Dyspareunia in the Setting of the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause.

Sexual dysfunction is a common consequence of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). In this book chapter, we discuss the pathophysiology, prevalence, evaluation, and evidence-based management of sexual dysfunction in patients affected by GSM. Additionally, we present an algorithm to guide clinicians in the management and treatment of sexual dysfunction in this setting based on available evidence and best practices.

Efficacy and safety of a novel pain management device, AT-04, for endometriosis-related pain: study protocol for a phase III randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis-related pain encompassing dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain, reduces the quality of life in premenopausal women. Although treatment options for endometriosis alleviate this pain, approximately one-third of women still experience pain even after receiving treatment, indicating the need for novel approaches to pain relief in those women. The Angel Touch device (AT-04) is a portable magnetic fields irradiation device that incorporates a combination of mixed alternative magnetic fields at 2 kHz and 83.3 MHz. A phase III trial confirmed the efficacy and safety of AT-02, a prototype of AT-04, for pain relief in patients with fibromyalgia. METHODS: This is a phase III, multicenter, prospective, randomized, sham device-controlled, double-blind, parallel study. The participants will be premenopausal women aged > 18 years who have endometriosis-related pain with at least moderate severity. Considering dropouts, 50 participants have been deemed appropriate. Eligible women will be centrally registered, and the data center will randomly allocate them in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention and control groups. Women in the intervention group will receive electromagnetic wave irradiation generated by AT-04 and those who in the control group will wear a sham device for 16 weeks, and both groups will wear AT-04 for another 4 weeks. The primary outcome measure is the change in the Numeric Rating Scale score at 16 weeks compared with the baseline. Secondary outcome measures are efficacy for pelvic pain including dysmenorrhea and non-menstrual pain, and chronic pelvic pain not related to menstruation, dysmenorrhea, and dyspareunia, and improvement of quality of life during the study period. Safety will be evaluated by device defects and the frequency of adverse events. The study protocol has been approved by the Clinical Study Review Board of Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan, and will be conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and the Japanese Clinical Trials Act and relevant notifications. DISCUSSION: This study aims to develop a novel method of managing endometriosis-related pain. The AT-04 is an ultralow-invasive device that can be used without inhibiting ovulation, suggesting potential benefits to women of reproductive-age. Trial registration number Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCTs032230278).

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that negatively impacts reproductive health via endometriosis-related pain, infertility, and endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer. Although current therapeutic options for endometriosis are effective for the endometriosis-related pain, approximately one-third of women still experience pain even after receiving treatment, indicating the need for novel approaches to pain relief in those women. This is the first randomized controlled trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of a novel portable pain management device, AT-04, that incorporates a combination of mixed alternating magnetic fields, for endometriosis-related pain. This is a multicenter, prospective, sham device-controlled, double-blind, parallel study. Enrolled women will have undergone standard hormonal treatment for endometriosis at baseline, and this allows for assessing whether the device remains effective when used in conjunction with existing treatment methods. The study also will explore the impact of AT-04 on reducing the size of ovarian endometriotic cysts that reflect the activity of endometriosis. The study reflects the strong desire by physicians to liberate women from the unbearable pain associated with endometriosis. The sole efficacy of AT-04 in treating endometriosis-related pain is difficult to evaluate as there is a possibility that menstrual cycles may influence the assessment of pain and quality of life. However, the study findings regarding the effectiveness of AT-04 for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain may benefit women with endometriosis who have pain that is not effectively relieved by other treatments. Consequently, it may contribute to the improvement of reproductive health within society.

"The sound of silence" Giving voice to endometriosis-related positional dyspareunia.

Deep dyspareunia is one of the main symptoms of endometriosis. It appears to be submerged by a two-way disconnection between patients and their physicians. The aim of our review is to provide clear, ready-to-use advice on how to manage deep dyspareunia overcoming the gap in communication. Sexual history should always be taken as part of routine health care in these regards, using a patient-centered approach. An educational pelvic examination, which actively includes patients in the identification of painful areas, may prove useful to improve patients' understanding of their condition. Correlating painful pelvic areas with sexual positions and inviting patients to adopt alternative positions may represent a simple but extremely effective coping strategy to mitigate pain. Revealing and explaining to partners the nature of the pain is essential to allow them to take part in shared research of coping mechanisms, empowering the couple to make choices and changes. Couples who do not feel comfortable talking about intimacy by themselves may find that including a psychotherapist or a sexual therapist, may be a good way to start communication. Investigating and managing dyspareunia during medical encounters is a medical and ethical duty all healthcare practitioners should pursue.

[Vaginal laxity: Semiology, diagnosis and treatments]. / L'hyperlaxité vaginale : sémiologie, diagnostic et traitements.

OBJECTIVES: Vaginal laxity concerns 24 to 38% of women but it's still poorly understood and studied. The objective of this study is to do an inventory of current scientific knowledge about its definition, its diagnostic criteria, and treatments. METHODS: We conducted a non systematic review of literature including original articles in French and English about the definition, diagnostic criteria and treatments of vaginal laxity using data bases such as Cochrane, Embase, Medline, PubMed et Science Direct. RESULTS: It is a feeling of excessive looseness that can alter the quality of sexual intercourses. The main risk factor is vaginal delivery. The feeling of vaginal laxity appears to be linked to an excessive distensibility of the levator ani muscle that can be evaluated during physical examination by the measure of the genital hiatus and the perineal body (GH and PB measures from the POP-Q classification) during vasalva or by the measure of genital hiatus area by translabial sonography during valsalva. Although pelvic muscle training is currently prescribed as a first line treatment, data are limited to confirm its effectiveness in this affection. Colpoperineorraphy with levator ani myorraphy which was mostly evaluated in case of genital prolapse is associated with a high success rate but is at risk of dyspareunia. New nonsurgical treatments such as radiofrequency and vaginal laser seems to lead to lower success rate than surgical treatments but they are less invasive. Their effectiveness and long-term effects are still unknown which restrict their application in this condition. CONCLUSION: Vaginal laxity is a frequent condition that impacts on the quality of life and sexual function. Further studies should be conducted to better understand its physiopathology and the optimal treatment.

Effectiveness of Two Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Protocols in Women with Provoked Vestibulodynia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Vestibulodynia (VBD) is the most common form of vulvodynia. Because VBD is a pain disorder, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can be used as treatment. This study aims to evaluate the effects of two-parameter combinations (frequency and pulse duration) of TENS in reducing pain intensity and dyspareunia in VBD. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted to study the effect of two different electrical stimulation treatment regimens on women with VBD receiving domiciliary TENS. Outcomes were the mean change from baseline at 60 and 120 days of burning/pain and dyspareunia (VAS), Vulvar Pain Functional Questionnaire (V-Q), Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI) and vaginal electromyography measurements. RESULTS: A total of 78 subjects, 39 in each group, completed the trial. Patients in Groups 1 and 2 received a mean of 46.9 and 48.4 TENS sessions. By day 120, there was a 38.2% reduction in the burning/pain and a 52.1% reduction in the dyspareunia VAS scores in Group 1, as compared to 21.3% (p = 0.003) and 23.1% in Group 2 (p = 0.01), respectively. FSFI, V-Q, and muscle-strength measures also improved but were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed the potential of TENS in the treatment of VBD.

Effectiveness of physical therapy interventions in women with dyspareunia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Dyspareunia is defined as the occurrence of pain during or after sexual intercourse, which directly affects physical, sexual, and mental health. This condition can lead to depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem in women who experience it. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of physical therapy interventions for the treatment of female dyspareunia. DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. METHOD: Search of publications was conducted in Scopus, Medline, Pubmed, Cinahl and Web of Science. Treatment effects were defined as standardized mean difference and their 95% confidence intervals. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using Crohan's Q test and quantified using the I2 index. RESULTS: Of the 19 articles selected, six applied multimodal physiotherapy treatments; five, electrotherapy; three, Thiele's massage; two, interdisciplinary interventions or pelvic floor muscle training; and one, extracorporeal shockwave therapy. The meta-analysis showed significant results for the variables pain and quality of life with the interventions based on electrotherapy and electrotherapy combined with pelvic floor muscle training. These interventions did not show significant results for the improvement of sexual function. CONCLUSIONS: Physiotherapy techniques are effective and procedures have been identified with reliable results in improving pain and quality of life in patients with dyspareunia. One of the most important aspects is the strengthening of the perineal musculature and the application of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. Furthermore, manual trigger point release therapy and Thiele massage, optimize and guarantee the reduction of pain intensity. PROSPERO REGISTRATION: CRD42021236155.

Managing Menopausal Symptoms: Common Questions and Answers.

Menopausal symptoms are widespread and significantly impact quality of life. Common symptoms of menopause are vasomotor (i.e., hot flashes and night sweats) and genitourinary (e.g., vulvovaginal irritation and dryness, dyspareunia, urinary problems), although women may also experience changes in sexual function, mood, and sleep. Estrogen-containing hormone therapy is effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms. Nonhormonal medications for vasomotor symptoms include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and gabapentin. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors should not be administered to women taking tamoxifen. Cognitive behavior therapy and clinical hypnosis are effective for short-term reduction of vasomotor symptoms and associated sleep disturbances, but data are lacking to support the effectiveness of other nonpharmacologic treatments such as herbal or botanicalsupplements, exercise, and acupuncture. Hormone-free vaginal moisturizers are noninferior to estrogen-based therapies for treating genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Other treatment options for vaginal dryness and dyspareunia associated with menopause include ospemifene and intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone. Management of menopausal symptoms should involve shared decision-making that is informed by the best available evidence and individual risks and preferences.

[Dyspareunia and endometriosis: an inquiry about women's experiences]. / Dyspareunies et endométriose : expériences biographiques et cliniques des femmes.

Dyspareunia is a common symptom of endometriosis impairing women's sexual and affective life. Drawing on a sociological analysis, this article highlights that negative experiences of sexual pain can be better understood considering the social norms that underlie them. It then shows that women can partially overcome their pain by engaging in equal relations where they adopt non penetrative practices. Finally, women express the need of multidisciplinary and coordinated care, as well as spaces where they can share their experiences.

La dyspareunie est un symptôme fréquent de l'endométriose altérant fortement la vie sexuelle et affective des patientes. L'analyse sociologique développée dans cet article entend d'abord éclairer les expériences négatives des douleurs sexuelles au prisme des normes sociales qui les sous-tendent. Elle montre ensuite que les femmes peuvent parvenir, dans le contexte de relations égalitaires, à trouver des moyens de contourner ou limiter les douleurs, en particulier par le biais de pratiques non pénétratives. L'article examine finalement les attentes exprimées par les patientes à l'égard des dispositifs de soins et fait ressortir le besoin d'une prise en charge coordonnée et pluridisciplinaire, ainsi que d'espaces où elles peuvent mettre leurs expériences en commun.

Functional and sexual outcomes following surgical vaginal introital reduction.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical introital reduction procedures are commonly performed for the treatment of vaginal laxity (VL), yet poorly studied. The aim of this study was to assess clinical outcomes following surgical vaginal introital reduction for VL. METHODS: This was an ambidirectional cohort study conducted in a single urogynecology center. All sexually active women who had vaginal introital surgical reduction for VL between March 2015 and September 2020 were included in this study. VL was defined as a genital hiatus distance ≥4cm according to the POP-Q classification, associated with symptoms of laxity. The primary endpoint was sexual health assessed by the Pelvi-Perineal Surgery Sexuality Questionnaire (PPSSQ), while the secondary endpoints included postoperative pain, perioperative complications, rate of dyspareunia, patient satisfaction and success rate based on the Patient Global Improvement Index (PGI-I) and Vaginal Laxity Questionnaire (VLQ). RESULTS: Of the 27 patients sent the questionnaires, 23 sexually active patients returned the completed ones and were included in the study. Participants had a mean age and BMI of 41 years (range 24-74) and 21.3 (range 17.6-31.9) respectively. The most prevalent preoperative symptom was feeling of VL in 82.6% followed by bulging sensation in 47.8%. Preoperative dyspareunia was reported in 8/23 (34.8%). Surgical interventions involved perineorrhaphy with (n=14) or without (n=9) levator ani plication. The PPSSQ mean sexual health score was 86.7/100 (SD 5.8; range 16.7-93.3) and the mean discomfort and pain score was 27.5/100 (SD 26.0; range 0-80). Postoperative sexuality was reported to better, identical or worse in 16 (69.6%), 2 (8.7%) and 5 (21.7%) patients respectively. On PGI-I, patients reported feeling much better, better, slightly better and no change in 10 (43.5%), 5 (21.7%), 5 (21.7%) and 3 (13.0%) respectively. None of the women reported feeling worse. The overall post-operative complication rate was 3/23 (13.0%), including a perineal hematoma, and two cases of reoperation for narrow introitus. De novo dyspareunia was reported by 11/18 (61.1%) patients, occurring often or more in 4/18 (22.2%) patients, due to narrow introitus (n=2), enlarge introitus (n=1) and vaginal dryness (n=1). CONCLUSION: Vaginal introital reduction surgery is a viable treatment option for symptoms of vaginal laxity after failure of conservative measures. However, patients should be made aware of the risk of de novo dyspareunia.

[La dyspareunie féminine, not a simple functional disorder !] / La dyspareunie féminine, pas un simple trouble fonctionnel !

Dyspareunia is defined as pain during sexual intercourse. It will be qualified as superficial if it occurs during the vaginal penetration and as deep when it appears in the lower abdomen or further in the vagina. It concerns between 10 and 28 % of women during their lifetime and will have a significant impact on their quality of life. Multidisciplinary care will allow an accurate diagnosis and optimal treatment. The collaboration between general practitioner, gynecologist, physiotherapist and psychologist is mandatory in order to improve the quality of life of patients.

La dyspareunie se définit par une douleur lors du rapport sexuel. Elle sera qualifiée de superficielle si elle survient lors de la pénétration du vagin, et de profonde lorsqu'elle apparaît lors de la pénétration complète et est décrite dans le bas du ventre ou dans le fond du vagin. Elle concerne entre 10 et 28 % des femmes au cours de leur vie et impactera de manière importante leur qualité de vie. Une prise en charge multidisciplinaire permettra un diagnostic précis et un traitement optimal. La collaboration entre médecin traitant, gynécologue, physiothérapeute et psychologue est une condition sine qua non pour l'amélioration de la qualité de vie des patientes.

Diagnosis, causes, and treatment of dyspareunia in postmenopausal women.

IMPORTANCE AND OBJECTIVES: Evaluation and treatment of dyspareunia remains a significant unmet need despite the availability of safe and effective treatments. The objectives of this review are to consider evaluation techniques, the medical causes, and treatment options for dyspareunia in postmenopausal women. METHODS: This narrative review used PubMed to search for English-language articles related to postmenopausal dyspareunia. Search terms included, but were not limited to, dyspareunia, genitourinary syndrome of menopause, sexual dysfunction, postmenopausal dyspareunia, posthysterectomy dyspareunia, and postcancer dyspareunia. FINDINGS: Many postmenopausal women with dyspareunia do not discuss their symptoms with their physicians. Healthcare clinicians should broach the topic of dyspareunia with their patients using oral or written questionnaires. In addition to a thorough medical history and physical examination, various tools can be used as further assessments, including vaginal pH, vaginal dilators, imaging, vulvar biopsy, vulvoscopy and photography, the cotton swab test, sexually transmitted infection screening, and vaginitis testing. Although dyspareunia in postmenopausal women is often due to the genitourinary syndrome of menopause, other conditions can also cause dyspareunia, including hypertonic pelvic floor, hysterectomy, cancer treatment, lichen conditions, vulvar cancer, vestibulodynia, and pelvic organ prolapse. Some of the treatments discussed include lubricants, moisturizers, vaginal estrogen, ospemifene, dehydroepiandrosterone, local testosterone therapy, cannabidiol, and fractional CO 2 laser treatments. In some cases, dyspareunia may need to be specifically addressed by pelvic floor physical or sex therapists. CONCLUSIONS: Dyspareunia is a common issue in postmenopausal women, which remains largely untreated. Women with dyspareunia require a thorough history, targeted physical examination, and coordination of multiple disciplines including medical clinicians, pelvic floor physical therapists, and sex therapists.

Gynecological Cancer Survivors' Experiences of Dyspareunia and Factors Influencing Care-Seeking Behavior: A Qualitative Study.

Pain during sexual intercourse, also called dyspareunia, affects most women after treatment for gynecological cancer. Previous work adopted a biomedical approach to depict dyspareunia in this population, which provided a narrow perspective of this condition. Taking into account women's experiences of dyspareunia and the factors influencing their care-seeking behaviors would provide insight to improve care in the context of gynecological cancer. The aim of this study was to describe gynecological cancer survivors' experiences of dyspareunia and factors influencing care-seeking behavior. A qualitative study was performed with 28 gynecological cancer survivors with dyspareunia. Individual telephone interviews were conducted based on the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation. Interviews were recorded and transcribed for analysis using the interpretative description framework. Concerning their experience, participants reported the oncological treatments as the primary cause of dyspareunia. Loss of libido, lower vaginal lubrication, and smaller vaginal cavity were described as being linked with dyspareunia. Women explained how dyspareunia and these changes had led them to engage less in, and even interrupt, sexual activity. They expressed that they were distressed, felt less of a woman, and experienced low control and/or self-efficacy. Regarding the factors influencing women's care-seeking behaviors, participants emphasized that they were provided with insufficient information and support. Balancing priorities, denial or reluctance, misbeliefs, resignation and acceptance, and negative emotions were reported as barriers, whereas acknowledgement of sexual dysfunction, desire for improvement, awareness of treatment possibilities, willingness to undertake treatment and treatment acceptability were reported as facilitators to seeking care. Findings suggest that dyspareunia is a complex and impactful condition after gynecological cancer. While this study highlights the importance of alleviating the burden of sexual dysfunction in cancer survivors, it identified factors that should be considered in the provision of services to improve care.

Successful management of penetration disorder: A holistic approach to an age-old problem.

Penetration disorder, formerly referred to as vaginismus, is the recurrent or persistent involuntary spasm of the musculature of the outer third of the vagina that interferes with vaginal penetration. It is a common female psychosexual problem and is a cause of significant personal and relationship distress. In this report, we describe the successful treatment of vaginismus in a 28-year-old woman by using a combination of different interventions. This involved providing sexual education, psychotherapy, serial dilation using graded plastic dilators, sensate-focused therapy, and anti-anxiety medication.

Superficial dyspareunia treatment with hyperstacking of erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet SMOOTH laser: a short-term, pilot study in breast cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVE: This prospective pilot study aimed to evaluate the effects of a modified vaginal erbium laser (VEL) protocol, using the hyperstack mode on the vaginal vestibulum and introitus to treat superficial dyspareunia in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors suffering from the genitourinary syndrome of menopause. METHODS: In this pilot, prospective, randomized study, two groups of postmenopausal women suffering from superficial dyspareunia were included: 34 women (VEL group) were treated with erbium laser crystal yttrium-aluminum-garnet (XS Fotona SMOOTH; Fotona, Ljubljana, Slovenia) with a wavelength of 2,940 nm; for the other 34 (hyperstack group), a modified second step of the VEL protocol for the treatment of vestibulum and introitus was used, with hyperstacked (repeating a number of) subablative, long pulses with very low fluences. For each group, three laser applications at 30-day intervals were performed. Symptoms were assessed before, after each application, and after 1 and 3 months from the last laser application, using the visual analog scale score for superficial dyspareunia. RESULTS: Superficial dyspareunia improved in both groups over time (P < 0.001), regardless of age and years since menopause status. The reduction in visual analog scale score after the third laser application was 58% in VEL versus 73.5% in hyperstack. The hyperstack group, since the first laser application, showed a greater (P < 0.001) and persistent improvement of superficial dyspareunia. CONCLUSIONS: The hyperstack treatment of the introitus and vestibulum in breast cancer survivors leads to a more significant improvement in superficial dyspareunia than the VEL alone.

Acceptability of multimodal pelvic floor physical therapy to treat dyspareunia after gynecological malignancies: a qualitative study of women's views and experiences.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Multimodal pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) is recommended after gynecological malignancies to treat dyspareunia. However, data to strongly support its implementation in the cancer care continuum are lacking. The aim of this study was to explore the views and experiences of gynecological cancer survivors with dyspareunia regarding the acceptability of multimodal PFPT. METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted with the participants (n = 28) of a study investigating a 12-week multimodal PFPT treatment. Individual semi-structured telephone interviews served to collect qualitative data pertaining to women's views and experiences of the treatment they received. Interviews were recorded and transcribed for analysis using the interpretative description framework. RESULTS: Our cohort described the appropriateness of the treatment in terms of modalities, physical therapist, care delivery, and intensity (Theme 1). While the intensity was reported as demanding by a few, all participants stressed that it was relevant to see significant improvements (Theme 2). In addition to the treatment characteristics and women's beliefs and attitudes, noticing the treatment effects motivated their participation (Theme 2). Women expressed being highly satisfied with the treatment based on their positive experiences and the balance between their efforts and the results they obtained (Theme 3). As a result, they all recommended this treatment (Theme 3). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to examine the acceptability of multimodal PFPT in the context of gynecological malignancies. This treatment was found acceptable and can be offered to gynecological cancer survivors.