Mediators of Sexual Distress in Women with Dyspareunia: A Population-based Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Background: Dyspareunia (recently been named as GPPPD), is considered as one of the negative factors affecting couple’s sexual health. The present paper explores the characteristics of pain in dyspareunia cases and also determine protective factors cause fewer sexual distress among sufferers. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study conducted in 2017, on 590 married women aging 18 -70 years, in 30 health center via cluster-quota sampling method. Demographic data, sexual distress and Binik’s GPPPD Questionnaire were utilized as study tools. Results: Although 33% of the women report dyspareunia, based on standard criteria the prevalence of severe and moderate dyspareunia were dropped to 10.5% and 25.8%, respectively that among them the most common location, time and type of pain were in vaginal entrance, at the beginning of intercourse and with burning nature, respectively. Dyspareunia had a significant negative impact not only on women’s ability to have intercourse (P=.004) but also on their sexual desire (P=.038). Interestingly, 5.4% of the women did not report any distress despite having severe dyspareunia. In comparison with those patients with distress, the latter group had higher sexual satisfaction, more positive body image and self-confidence, as well as more intimacy in relationship (P=.000). Notably, 19% of the participants experienced significant sexual distress, although in 8.5% of them dyspareunia was not confirmed. Conclusion: Promote personal characteristics such as positive self-confidence and body image and interpersonal factors like sexual satisfaction and intimacy, can be effective in the management of dyspareunia via decrease sexual distress.