Understanding sexual pain in endometriosis

Aerts L, Leen Aerts, Grangier L, Lorraine Grangier, Patrick Dällenbach, Patrick Dallenbach, Wenger JM, Jean-Marie Wenger, Jean‐Marie Wenger, Isabelle Streuli, Streuli I, Francesco Bianchi‐Demicheli, Francesco Bianchi-Demicheli, Bianchi-Demicheli F, Nicola Pluchino
Minerva ginecologica · 2019 · vol. 71(3) , pp. 224–234 · doi:10.23736/s0026-4784.19.04379-x · PMID:30727724 · W2946005745
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This review examines the biological, psychological, sexual, and interpersonal factors contributing to sexual pain in women with endometriosis and related chronic pain conditions.

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Abstract

Sexual dysfunctions, particularly sexual pain, are common in adult women of all ages. In patients with endometriosis, a chronic gynecological pain condition affecting women of reproductive age, sexual pain is the third most common symptom. Multiple biological factors are involved in endometriosis-related sexual pain including tissue damage, inflammation, hormonal changes, alterations within the peripheral and central nervous system and pelvic floor muscle dysfunctions. Conceptual models of sexual pain espouse a multifactorial view, with empirical evidence suggesting the implication of psychosexual and relationship difficulties in the development and persistence of sexual pain and associated distress. We review literature on the biological, psychological, sexual and interpersonal factors associated with development and persistence of sexual pain in women with endometriosis. In addition, we discuss chronic pain conditions frequently associated with endometriosis (vulvodynia, bladder pain syndrome and inflammatory bowel syndrome) and how they are linked with sexual pain. Finally we discuss the clinical implications and provided suggestions for future research and medical care, focusing on a multidisciplinary and biopsychosocial approach.

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Condition tags

dyspareuniaendometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Dyspareunia Endometriosis Genital Diseases, Female Biomedical Research Biomedical Research Dyspareunia Dyspareunia Endometriosis Female Forecasting Genital Diseases, Female Humans

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (100)

Cited by (7)

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK