Abstract:
Objective: Vaginismus is defined as female sexual pain disorder with recurrent or persistent involuntary contraction of the outer third of the vagina and presence of fear for intercourse Commonly, no organic causes can be implicated in etiology but various psychogenic factors are being examined. In this study, the patients with vaginismus is compared with healthy control in terms of obsessive beliefs, pysical and mental functioning, for the aim of uncovering the role of obsessive belief and functionality as a psychosocial factor in vaginismus. Method: Thirthy-seven women with vaginismus and 32 controls who have no difficulty with vaginal penetration were involved in this study. Golombok-Rust Inventory of Satisfaction Scale (GRISS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Obsessive Beliefs Questionnarie-44 (OBQ-44), Short Form 36 (SF-36) were administered to all participants. Results: Subscores of vaginismus in GRISS, BDI and BAI were significantly higher in patients with vaginismus than the healthy control. Subscales of OBQ-44 including responsibility/threat estimation, perfectionism/certainty and importance/control were significantly higher in patients with vaginismus. The physical functionality was higher in patients with vaginismus. OBQ-perfectionism/certainty subscale was positively correlated with GRISS-avoidance subscale, OBQ-responsibility/threat estimation was positively correlated with GRISS- satisfaction subscales. Discussion: Obsessive beliefs were higher in patients with vaginismus than the healthy control. Physical functionality was better in patients with vaginismus. Level of anxiety and depression were higher in patients with vaginismus. This study indicates the role of obsessive beliefs and anxiety smptoms in development and maintenance of vaginismus and absence of impact on quality of life.
