City Research Online

Abstract

Vaginismus is characterised by involuntary muscle spasms in the vaginal walls, making penetration painful, difficult, or even impossible. It is an under-researched area of female sexual health, and can have significant implications for a women’s psychological and sexual wellbeing. Female sexual difficulties are also uniquely shaped by social and cultural factors, however, outcome studies examining psychological interventions for vaginismus primarily focus on the ability to engage in penetrative sex. This potentially ignores factors which may contribute to the complexity of the experience of vaginismus and its management. For example, a woman’s self-worth, which is likely to be shaped by societal constructions around sex and womanhood, is not explored. This study therefore aims to give voice to women with vaginismus, to provide an in-depth exploration of their experiences of psychosexual therapy. The findings suggest that women with vaginismus initially struggle to communicate their difficulties around penetration, and whilst they feel a relief to learn about vaginismus, they also feel ambivalent about beginning psychosexual therapy. They also emphasise the importance of embodied experiences for women receiving psychosexual therapy for vaginismus, highlighting the challenges they experience around psychosexual exercises supporting them to develop a connection with their bodies, and their changing relationship to these. Finally, the findings indicate the potential of psychosexual therapy to help women make sense of and manage the impact of vaginismus on their lives, improve their sense of self-worth, feel more empowered to manage vaginismus, and hopeful about the future. Implications for counselling psychologists and other health care professionals are discussed in regards to both research and practice.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > RG Gynecology and obstetrics
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Psychology School of Health & Psychological Sciences > School of Health & Psychological Sciences Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

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