OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the association between non-penetrative sexual activities (NPSA) and depression levels in women diagnosed with vaginismus.
METHODS: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted between March 2016 and June 2019, after approval by the Fırat University Faculty of Medicine ethics committee. Participants comprised married women referred to our female sexual dysfunction outpatient clinic with vaginismus. Diagnosis of vaginismus was established following comprehensive evaluations, including gynecological examination and psychiatric assessment. Sociodemographic data and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores were collected. We compared depression levels between women who engaged in NPSA and those who did not.
RESULTS: Of the 75 women with primary vaginismus included in the study, 18 did not engage in any NPSA and 57 engaged in at least one NPSA. The average BDI score of those who engaged in NPSA was significantly lower than those who did not. A negative correlation was found between the number of NPSA engaged in and BDI scores (r = -0.494).
CONCLUSIONS: Women with vaginismus had high depression scores, but engaging in NPSA was associated with lower depression levels. The findings suggest that incorporating NPSA into clinical interventions may be beneficial for managing depression in women with vaginismus.

UNASSIGNED: Vaginismus is an involuntary contraction of muscles around the vaginal and one of the most common sexual disorders among women. It is often associated with psychological problems, leading to poor sexual quality of life (SQOL). This study aimed to determine SQOL predictors in women with vaginismus.
UNASSIGNED: In this cross-sectional study, convenience sampling was used to enroll 236 individuals with vaginismus among all women visiting sexual health clinics of Tehran, Iran in 2018. The data were collected using the Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F) Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The data were analyzed using the General Linear Model (GLM).
UNASSIGNED: The mean (SD) SQOL score of the participants was 56.82 (20.18). There was a significant direct correlation between the participants\' self-esteem and their SQOL (r = 0.54, p < 0.001). However, the participants\' SQOL had significant inverse correlations with the variables of anxiety (r = - 0.48, p < 0.001) and depression (r = -0.47, p < 0.001). Based on the GLM results, the variables of anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and duration of disorder predicted SQOL, and explained 42.3% of the variance of SQOL in the participants.
UNASSIGNED: The results indicated that psychological factors such as anxiety, depression, and self-esteem are predictors of SQOL in women with vaginismus.

BACKGROUND: Research to improve healthcare experiences for women with vaginismus tends to be produced from the perspective of healthcare professionals or health-based researchers. There is lacking research on women\'s experiences and recommendations to improve help-seeking for vaginismus from their perspective. To address this research gap, this qualitative study aimed to identify the issues that women face when help-seeking for vaginismus and their recommendations to address it. This sought to support the wellbeing of patients to advocate for their healthcare needs which is often overlooked.
METHODS: Using a feminist theoretical approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 participants who sought help for their vaginismus. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse participants\' recommendations.
RESULTS: Four main themes emerged: Increase awareness of vaginismus, Dismantle myths about sex, Destigmatise vaginismus, and Empower people with vaginismus during medical consultations. Subthemes were identified as actionable strategies that participants recommended to improve help-seeking and healthcare for vaginismus.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study can inform healthcare practice and policy to foster better synchronicity between health professionals and their patients\' perceptions and expectations of treating vaginismus. This can promote more acceptance of patients\' advocacy of their needs and goals to improve the therapeutic alliance and treatment outcomes for vaginismus in healthcare practice. The strategies recommended to increase awareness of vaginismus and challenge its stigma should be considered in policy to incite a culture of change in healthcare practice and broader society.

Breast cancer accounts for one in three new cancer cases in women each year. Despite having a higher survival rate than other cancers, it is associated with various side effects, including anorgasmia, vaginismus, hair loss, and decreased libido. This review aims to explore trends in the incidence of sexual dysfunction in breast cancer survivors, the etiology of sexual dysfunction, and the role of factors such as family history, age, duration of marriage, and depression in predisposing patients. We summarize the limitations of the treatment modalities already used to cater to sexual dysfunction in breast cancer survivors and patients. The authors conducted searches on databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar using relevant search terms: sexual dysfunction, breast cancer, breast cancer survivors, chemotherapy, dyspareunia, vaginismus, and anorgasmia from 1997-2023. The inclusion criteria encompassed all types of articles with abstracts or titles indicating research on sexual dysfunction in breast cancer survivors in Asia. A total of 64 articles were included out of which 10 were systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The literature search yielded results showing high incidence rates of breast cancer in Asia (45.4%), with 31.6%-91.2% of breast cancer survivors likely to experience sexual dysfunction. Regional differences were noted, as female sexual dysfunction occurred in 74.1% of Asian breast cancer women. Further randomized controlled trials should be conducted to assess the effectiveness of treatment modalities. Personalized approaches should be tailored to address beliefs, such as the potential impact of sexual activity on disease recovery. Utilizing a family history of breast cancer as a preemptive tool can help reduce the risk of developing female sexual dysfunction in survivors, and factors such as age and depression should be considered when formulating solutions.

Background The objective of this study conducted at one center is to compare the demographic features and female sexual functions of patients treated for vaginismus before the COVID-19 pandemic to those treated for vaginismus during the pandemic. Aim Additionally, the study intends to evaluate the results of vaginismus therapy and assess the post-treatment sexual functioning of women. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of patients diagnosed with vaginismus who sought treatment between March 2018 and March 2022. The enrolled patients were categorized into two groups: the pre-COVID-19 group and the COVID-19 group. The following data have been collected: age, education level, occupation, and marriage duration. After three months of treatment, the patients were called for a follow-up examination and evaluation of their sexual functions. Outcomes Compared to the pre-COVID-19 group, an increase of 52.51% was observed in the number of patients admitted for treatment in the COVID-19 group. Results The severity of vaginismus in the patients was similar in both groups. There were no statistically significant changes observed in any of the areas of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scale. Clinical implications According to our findings, there was no significant difference in female sexual functioning between women who had vaginismus treatment during the pandemic and those who underwent pre-pandemic treatment. Strengths and limitations The research sample comprised women who sought medical care at our women\'s health clinic. Conclusions We believe that vaginismus patients who had previously avoided seeking treatment are now seeking it during the pandemic.

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BACKGROUND: Vaginismus is a distressing sexual dysfunction that can profoundly impact women\'s physical and psychological well-being. Understanding its prevalence and associated factors is crucial for effective healthcare provision. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of vaginismus and assess knowledge about the condition among women in Najran, Saudi Arabia.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2023. Data were collected via an online survey, with 500 adult women in Najran participating. The survey assessed demographics, vaginismus complaints, and knowledge about vaginismus. Statistical analysis included chi-square tests, logistic regression, and correlations.
RESULTS: The prevalence of vaginismus complaints among participants was 4.6%. Age, particularly being over 45 years old, was a significant predictor of vaginismus complaints. Marital status also showed a significant association, with married women reporting a higher prevalence. BMI, health status, and various menstrual characteristics were not significant predictors. Knowledge about vaginismus was moderate, with 60% of participants lacking a source of information.
CONCLUSIONS: Vaginismus is a relatively rare but significant concern among women in Najran, Saudi Arabia, with age and marital status being notable factors. The study highlights the need for improved sexual health education and awareness, particularly among older women, to address this sensitive issue effectively. Further research should delve into the psychological and cultural factors influencing vaginismus in this population.

UNASSIGNED: Current studies indicate a strong relationship between sexual dysfunctions and eating disorders. The aims of this study were to investigate the frequency of disordered eating behaviors (DE) in patients with genito-pelvic pain and penetration disorder (GPPPD); and to determine the clinical features associated with DE.
UNASSIGNED: Outpatients with GPPPD (n=105) were evaluated with sociodemographic data form, structured clinical interview for DSM-IV (SCID), Golombok-Rust inventory of sexual satisfaction female form (GRISS), Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAM-A), Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D), eating disorder examination questionnaire (EDEQ), and eating attitudes test (EAT-40).
UNASSIGNED: The frequency of DE in patients included in the study was 85.7%. The presence of sexual trauma history, eating concern, binge eating scores were significantly higher in patients with DE than without that (p<0.05). A statistically significant positive correlation was observed among the restriction, sensuality and orgasm scores in GPPPD patients with sexual trauma (p<0.05).
UNASSIGNED: Our results might be important in terms of showing that DE is frequently seen in patients with GPPPD and that the presence of a history of sexual trauma might be important in accompanying these two disorders.

There is low social awareness of vaginismus despite it being a relatively common female sexual dysfunction that makes vaginal penetration painful, difficult, and/or impossible. While existing literature on vaginismus has had a clinical focus on the affected genitalia, there is a lack of research on women\'s help-seeking experiences of vaginismus from their perspective.
This integrative review\'s objective was to explore: women\'s help-seeking experiences of vaginismus, and how such help-seeking experiences impact their sense of self.
Cooper\'s five-step integrative review approach was followed to develop a research question, a search strategy, selection criteria, and data evaluation, analysis, and presentation.
A systematic search of the literature was completed in the following seven databases in January 2023: PsycINFO, ProQuest Central, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Embase. Out of the 373 articles found through database searches and additional citation searching, 22 studies were included in this review for meeting the eligibility criteria of having an empirical design, being written in English, and examining women\'s help-seeking experiences for vaginismus and its impact on their sense of self.
Thematic analysis was used to summarize the findings from the included studies which were informed by 1671 participants. Help-Seeking Process, Medical Management, Help-Seeking and Sense of Self, and Holistic Care Recommendations from the Findings emerged as four major themes with corresponding subthemes.
This review indicates that women continue to face difficulties in seeking and receiving help for vaginismus even through the healthcare system. However, the studies did not explicitly discuss how women\'s help-seeking for vaginismus impacted their sense of self. This highlights an epistemological gap on how women\'s help-seeking for their vaginismus impacts their sense of self, which can affect their treatment responses. Recommendations are provided for future healthcare and research to improve health outcomes for women with vaginismus.

Provision of sexual health services requires gender-sensitive management, facilities, and staff, as well as planning for gender-sensitive caregivers and education. Couples suffering from vaginismus face many types of barriers to accessing sexual health services. This qualitative study was conducted to explain the needs of sexual health services in women with primary vaginismus in Iran.
This qualitative study was conducted through the participation of 20 participants including service providers, women with vaginismus and their husbands in 2022, Iran. The samples were selected using purposive sampling method and considering the maximum variation. For data collection, in-depth semi-structured individual interviews were conducted and continued until data saturation was reached. The collected data were analyzed in MAXQDA10 software using conventional content analysis approach based on the criteria proposed by Graneheim and Lundman.
Data analysis led to the emergence of three main themes: 1) Comprehensive preventive sex education which included the three categories of sex education in the education system, premarital sex education through the health system, and sex education through the media with scientific content; 2) Efficient sexual health clinics which included three categories of therapist\'s skills, empowerment of sexual therapist, and structural features of sexual health clinics and cultural considerations in establishing sexual health clinics; and 3) Protocol for management and treatment of sexual problems which consisted of sexual education and counseling content, treatment requirements, and sex education approaches.
Based on the results of the study, comprehensive preventive sex education through the education system and the Ministry of Health can improve the attitudes of adolescents and young people. Moreover, it can take a fundamental step in solving sexual problems by providing the infrastructure necessary for the establishment of efficient sexual health clinics and protocols required to manage and treat such problems.