title: Associations Between Penetration Cognitions, Genital Pain, and Sexual Well-being in Women with Provoked Vestibulodynia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is a common vulvovaginal pain condition that negatively impacts women's psychological and sexual well-being. Controlled studies have found that women with PVD report greater negative and less positive cognitions about penetration; however, associations between these types of cognitions and women's pain and sexual well-being remain unknown. Further, researchers have yet to examine how interpersonal variables such as sexual communication may impact the association between women's penetration cognitions and PVD outcomes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We examined associations between vaginal penetration cognitions and sexual satisfaction, sexual function, and pain in women with PVD, as well as the moderating role of sexual communication.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-seven women (M age = 28.32, SD = 6.19) diagnosed with PVD completed the catastrophic and pain cognitions and positive cognitions subscales of the Vaginal Penetration Cognition Questionnaire, as well as the Dyadic Sexual Communication Scale. Participants also completed measures of sexual satisfaction, sexual function, and pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dependent measures were the (i) Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction Scale; (ii) Female Sexual Function Index; and (iii) Present Pain Intensity scale of the McGill Pain Questionnaire, with reference to pain during vaginal intercourse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women's lower catastrophic and pain cognitions, higher positive cognitions, and higher sexual communication were each uniquely associated with higher sexual satisfaction and sexual function. Lower catastrophic and pain cognitions also were associated with women's lower pain. For women who reported higher sexual communication, as positive cognitions increased, there was a significantly greater decrease in pain intensity during intercourse compared to women who reported lower levels of sexual communication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings may inform cognitive-behavioral interventions aimed at improving the pain and sexual well-being of women with PVD. Targeting the couple's sexual communication and women's penetration cognitions may improve women's sexual adjustment and reduce pain.
authors: Department of Psychology, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors: Alexandra B
authors: AB
authors: Anderson
authors: Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Electronic address: nrosen@dal.ca.
authors: Natalie O
authors: NO
authors: Rosen
authors: Department of Psychology, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Price
authors: Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
authors: Sophie
authors: S
authors: Bergeron
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003075:Coitus / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009948:Orgasm; D010147:Pain Measurement; D057566:Self Report; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D056650:Vulvodynia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy
keywords: Penetration Cognitions; Provoked Vestibulodynia; Sexual Communication; Sexual Functioning; Sexual Satisfaction; Vulvodynia