Genito-pelvic pain penetration disorder

The Genito-Pelvine Pain Penetration Disorder describes occurring, persistent or recurring difficulties in women with regard to the desired vaginal penetration during sexual intercourse . The introduction of other objects into the vagina, such as fingers, tampons or speculum during pelvic exams, can also be impaired. The diagnosis consists of the two diagnoses vaginismus and dyspareunia and has existed since the DSM-5 was introduced in 2013.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of genito-pelvic pain penetration disorder are problems with sexual intercourse, pain in the genital and pelvic area, fear of pain or vaginal penetration, and tension in the pelvic floor muscles.

During vaginal penetration or attempting to penetrate, sufferers experience significant vulvovaginal or pelvic pain. The genito-pelvic pain penetration disorder is characterized by a distinct fear or fear of pain in anticipation of, during, or as a result of vaginal penetration. As a result, women with genito-pelvic pain penetration disorder can experience phobic avoidance behavior with regard to penetration attempts in different contexts. In extreme cases, any stimuli and situations associated with sexuality, particularly vaginal penetration, are avoided.

The genito-pelvic pain penetration disorder often limits the quality of life for those affected and their partners. The symptoms can have a negative effect on emotions, cognitions, body and behavior and lead to high levels of suffering in the women concerned. In addition, the primary motives for treatment often include an unfulfilled desire to have children as well as partnership problems.

The emergence of the diagnosis

The GPSPS diagnosis was created in the course of the revision of the section on sexual dysfunction in the DSM-5 classification system by combining the disorders of vaginismus and dyspareunia . This decision resulted from the scientific findings that the two disorders cannot be reliably differentiated. In contrast to the emphasis on vaginal muscle spasms in the DSM-4 diagnostic criteria for vaginismus, the focus is now on penetration problems , since empirical evidence of muscle spasm in vaginismus could not be provided.

In addition, the fear of pain and vaginal penetration is characteristic of vaginismus, which also suggests an overlap with dyspareunia. Affected women also often report low self-esteem and feelings of inferiority and worthlessness with regard to sexuality.

treatment

Since the genito-pelvic pain penetration disorder is a relatively recent disease, there are still few treatment options available. One of the treatments offered by the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg is based on a combination of behavioral therapy techniques, pelvic floor training and introductory exercises .

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b c} American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5®) . 5th ed. American Psychiatric Publishing, Washington 2013, ISBN 978-0-89042-555-8 (English).
2. ↑ Rosemary Basson: Rethinking low sexual desire in women . In: BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology . tape 109 , no. 4 , 2002, p. 357-363 , doi : 10.1111 / j.1471-0528.2002.01002.x .
3. ↑ Elke D. Reissing et al. : Vaginal spasm, pain, and behavior: an empirical investigation of the diagnosis of vaginismus . In: Archives of sexual behavior . tape 33 , no. 1 , 2004, p. 5-17 , doi : 10.1023 / B: ASEB.0000007458.32852.c8 .
4. ↑ Weijmar WCM Schultz, HBM van de Weil: Assistance with decision-making . In: Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynecology . tape 26 , no. 2 , 2005, p. 83-84 .
5. ^ JJ Drenth: Vaginismus and the desire for a child . In: Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology . tape 9 , no. 2 , 2009, p. 125-137 , doi : 10.3109 / 01674828809016795 .
6. ↑ JJ Drenth et al. : Connections between primary vaginismus and procreation: some observations from clinical practice . In: Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynecology . tape 17 , no. 4 , 1996, pp. 195-201 .
7. ↑ Michelle E. Tulla et al. : Vaginismus and failed in vitro fertilization . In: Sexual and Relationship Therapy . tape 21 , no. 4 , 2006, p. 439-443 , doi : 10.1080 / 14681990600855059 .
8. ↑ ^{a b} Yitzchak M. Binik: The DSM diagnostic criteria for vaginismus . In: Archives of sexual behavior . tape 39 , no. 2 , 2010, p. 278-291 , doi : 10.1007 / s10508-009-9560-0 .
9. ↑ J. van der Velde, E. Laan, W. Everaerd: Vaginismus , a component of a general defensive reaction. an investigation of pelvic floor muscle activity during exposure to emotion-inducing film excerpts in women with and without vaginismus . In: International urogynecology journal and pelvic floor dysfunction . tape 12 , no. 5 , 2001, p. 328-331 .
10. ^ Joana Carvalho, Armando Luis Vieira, Pedro Nobre: Latent structures of female sexual functioning . In: Archives of sexual behavior . tape 41 , no. 4 , 2012, p. 907-917 , doi : 10.1007 / s10508-011-9865-7 .
11. ↑ ^{a b} H. S. Kaplan: The classification of the female sexual dysfunctions . In: Journal of sex & marital therapy . tape 1 , no. 2 , 1974, p. 124-138 , doi : 10.1080 / 00926237408405280 .
12. ↑ Barbro Wijma, Klaas Wijma: A cognitive behavioral treatment model of vaginismus . In: Scandinavian Journal of Behavior Therapy . tape 26 , no. 4 , 1997, p. 147-156 , doi : 10.1080 / 16506079708412484 .
13. ^ Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy: Paivina Care. Website of the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
14. ↑ Paivina-Care: Self-help with vaginismus. Website of the online training course Paivina Care . Retrieved June 15, 2016.

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !