Genital Pain (GP) gathers complex multi-factorial conditions which create substantial personal distress to patients and partners and affect quality of life and sexuality. Only recently accurate descriptions of vulvar pain have been defined, highlighting that about 40% of women 20-40 y.o. suffer from pain during sexuality. Up to 16% of the female population is diagnosed with vulvodynia, but this prevalence is increasing. GP was strictly viewed as a medical problem, even if psychological issues and social aspects are central in that conditions. Literature showed that data on this issue are still controversial, demanding to a careful analysis of the problem. GP consequences are specific for each woman and are not related only to the sexual context. They include behavioral, emotional, cognitive, physiological and interpersonal aspects. There is the urgent need to identify the biopsychosocial factors involved in GP and to address more effective treatments conducted in controlled settings in order to identify evidence-based protocols.
General aim of proposed study is to better understand the biopsychosocial factors characterizing GP women, in order to improve the taking-care process. The project is divided in 2 phases: firstly, we will assess some biomedical, psychological, social and sexual factors describing these cohorts of women. After, a team of different specialist will be involved in the diagnosis process and the measure of ¿real-time¿ genital and sexual pain thanks to the use of new tools (Vulvalgesiometer and Tampon test). In the second part of the project, the research will focus on vulvodynia¿s treatment. The effectiveness of a medical and an integrated biopsychosocial protocol will be tested with a randomized controlled trial on 3 groups (Biopsychosocial integrated treatment, Medical treatment and Control group). ECM course for professionals (physicians, psychologists, and pelvic floor physiotherapists) will be organized to share the results.
