Genito-pelvic pain in women and couples: Causes, consequences and treatment

Genital and pelvic ("genito-pelvic") pain is a common condition that negatively affects couples' quality of life by severely disrupting their sexuality and relationships. There are significant gaps in knowledge with respect to the biological, psychological and social predictors of genito-pelvic pain, as well as couple-based treatment. My 5-year research goals are to: 1) complete and share the findings from three CIHR-funded projects; 2) seek out funding and begin novel studies that will follow directly from this work; and 3) supervise a greater number of student trainees, thereby contributing to the training of future leaders in this important field. The three primary projects in my plan are: a) a two-month daily diary study examining the role of women's own and their partner's sexual goals in her pain during intercourse and the psychological and sexual adjustment of both members of the couple; b) a randomized clinical trial to examine the success of cognitive-behavioural couple therapy (CBCT) in treating genito-pelvic pain by testing it against a 'standard medical care' treatment (lidocaine) at post-treatment and 6-months later; c) a longitudinal study to examine the prevalence, symptom profile and biopsychosocial predictors of genito-pelvic pain from mid-pregnancy to 24 months postpartum. Data collection is underway for the first two projects, and the third project is under human ethics review. I have multidisciplinary collaborators who will ensure that my research program is clinically informed and results could be readily included in the health care system. The immediate benefit of this research is to empower women and couples to better manage genito-pelvic pain. Health care providers may change their clinical practice by inviting a more active role for women's partners and expanding treatment options. The long-term benefit is to decrease the burden of this condition by informing preventative and treatment intervention efforts.