title: Evaluation of the frequency and the association of sexual pain and chronic headaches.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sexual pain and chronic headaches are both complex conditions with associated high disability. Little research has examined whether there is a relationship between the 2. The aim of this survey-based study was to explore the frequency of sexual pain in a population of women being treated for chronic headache. Peripheral aims included exploring the number of patients receiving treatment for sexual pain and the association between sexual pain and libido, and history of abuse.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients presenting to an ambulatory chronic headache clinic were administered a short 10-item survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-four percent of patients reported that they had pelvic region or genital pain brought on by sexual activity. Only half of these patients had ever discussed their pelvic pain with a health care provider, and 31% of these patients had not received treatment. Almost all patients would be interested in treatment if available. Seventy-five percent of patients indicated a change in libido.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic headaches and sexual pain are both conditions that have a significant impact on patients and the health care system, and they do coexist. More research is needed to look at the relationship between these conditions in addition to epidemiology, symptomatology, evaluation, and treatments.
authors.affiliation: Wasser Pain Management Centre, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paneduro
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pink
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lawler
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D020773:Headache Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: chronic headache; chronic pain; pelvic pain; sexual pain