When sex hurts: The effect of multimodal treatment of vulvodynia

Almost every fifth woman suffers from chronic vulvovaginal pain, i.e. vulvodynia, which significantly affects sexual, emotional and relational health. Despite that, effective treatments are few. In particular, multimodal interventions are lacking.

Yet, the National Board of Health and Welfare´s recent national guidelines recommend multimodal interventions but conclude that more research on the effect is needed.

There is a lack of a scientifically proven treatment model, designed and tested in a Swedish healthcare context.Research problem and specific questionsThe purpose of this project is to develop and evaluate a multimodal treatment for vulvodynia, by addressing the following specific research questions:What is the feasibility and acceptability of this multimodal treatment protocol?

What are the effects on pain and psychosexual health?How is the treatment perceived by patients, clinicians and stakeholders in the health care setting, and how do they view the possibilities for implementation? Data and methodAll studies are conducted in collaboration with established health care units.

The project applies a user-oriented approach, incorporating views from patients, clinicians and stakeholders in the health care organization.Study 1.

Methods:       Focus group interviewsData:            Qualitative data on patients’ experiences of the treatment modelStudie 2.

Methods:       Sequential single case AB design (SCED), with randomized baseline lengths replicated in three health care contexts (N=30)Data:            Weekly assessments of pain and psychosexual health, and pre, post, and follow-up measurements Study 3.

Methods:       Focus group and individual in-depth interviews Data:            Qualitative data on experiences from patients, clinicians and stakeholders in the health care contextSocietal relevance and utilizationThis project could significantly improve care for women with vulvodynia.

The results may facilitate for health care to comply with the national guidelines that "those who need it should receive specialist care via a multiprofessional team".

Today, this is missing in most places, and the treatment model will be ready to spread nationally.Plan for project realizationThe project group consists of a national group of experts, with interdisciplinary knowledge and a solid national and international network. The budget mainly covers working time, but also expenses for data collection, collaboration, and dissemination.