Hi there! Thanks for joining in for Episode 8, Season 1, of The Sensate Space podcast. This is a short episode about a research study from 2021 that examined how common is GPPPD (genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder; aka vaginismus, dyspareunia) and related factors.
You can listen in here or using the player below.
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction
This is a short little episode to talk about an interesting study that was published in 2021, looking at the prevalence of genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder or, as I’ll refer to it in this episode, GPPPD. If you need a refresher on GPPPD then check out episode 2. Basically - it refers to a sexual pain disorder, and the term encompasses conditions that have been known as vaginismus and vulvodynia.
This study by Drs Azim, Happel-Parkins, Moses, and Haaroerfer looked at almost 1000 US women and their experiences of pain during intercourse. The authors also captured some information about some of the factors that contribute to the condition. This paper was published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, check the show notes for the full reference.
This is a peer-reviewed article, which means that experts in the field carefully assessed and validated the quality and accuracy of the paper. This is important because it secures the reliability of scientific findings and maintains trust in the research community. In other words - it’s considered high enough quality to be accepted in the field.
Limitations of the study:
Now, Limitations:
- Before we get started, it's important to acknowledge limitations in this study that should be considered when interpreting the findings. Firstly, the sample was restricted to college students, which may not fully represent the broader population.
- Secondly, this study exclusively focused on cisgender women, which leaves out valuable insights from individuals who identify as transgender or non-binary. Gender identity can play a crucial role in how individuals experience and perceive sexual health issues, and by not including diverse gender identities, the study may not capture the full spectrum of GPPPD experiences. Future research should strive to be more inclusive to provide a more comprehensive understanding of this complex issue.
- As you listen to the findings presented in this episode, it's essential to keep these limitations in mind. While the study offers valuable insights into the prevalence of painful sex and its associations with psychosocial factors among college cisgender women, it may not fully represent the broader population or the experiences of individuals with diverse gender identities. These limitations underscore the need for ongoing research that encompasses a more diverse range of participants to enhance our understanding of GPPPD.
So what have we learned from this study?
-
- This research study investigates GPPPD and its association with psychosocial factors among sexually active female college students. Psychosocial refers to both the psychological or mental aspects, and the social context.
- Data was collected from 974 college women, and the findings revealed that GPPPD was prevalent among these young women, with about 19% experiencing frequent pain and about 24% experiencing occasional pain during intercourse.
- ^ I find this fascinating because imagine if almost half of the male population found sex painful this regularly - I’m sure there would be a tonne of research being dedicated to it!
- Beyond prevalence, the study aimed to understand how religiosity, sexual education, sex guilt, and sexual distress relate to painful sex experiences amongst college-aged women. The authors found that, while religiousness itself doesn't have a direct effect, it does contribute to painful sexual experience when it causes sex guilt. This has implications when we think about populations that preach abstinence and shaming about sex.
- With this in mind, the authors note that it’s important for healthcare providers to start open and judgement-free discussions with their young female patients about dysparuenia (ie painful sex).
Summary
So, to summarise - In this study, it was found that a staggering 43.2% of women, nearly half of the participants, experienced pain during intercourse, with almost 1 in 5 facing frequent discomfort. This prevalence highlights how common this issue is, yet it’s still not largely acknowledged by the general public.
Okay, that brings us to the end of this micro-sized research snapshot.
Before you go - if you found this helpful please share with anyone who might find it helpful. And remember to check out the resources on our website, thesensatespace.com
Until next time, take care! You’ve got this.
References:
Katharina A. Azim, PhD and others, Exploring Relationships Between Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder, Sex Guilt, and Religiosity Among College Women in the U.S., The Journal of Sexual Medicine, Volume 18, Issue 4, April 2021, Pages 770–782, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.02.003
---
This is a psychology podcast about vaginismus and other pelvic and sexual pain disorders, and related issues (genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder, dyspareunia, vulvodynia, painful intercourse, gynaecological pain, sexual dysfunction, chronic pelvic pain) for the purpose of education and collaboration; it’s not therapy or medical advice. Information is general in nature and does not replace individualised assessment or treatment advice. Please seek professional support tailored to your specific needs. If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help now, call triple zero (000). You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please see our About page for more information.