We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
The experiences of women seeking help for vaginismus and its impact on their sense of self: An integrative review.
- Authors
Pithavadian, Rashmi; Chalmers, Jane; Dune, Tinashe
- Abstract
Background: There is low social awareness of vaginismus despite it being a relatively common female sexual dysfunction that makes vaginal penetration painful, difficult, and/or impossible. While existing literature on vaginismus has had a clinical focus on the affected genitalia, there is a lack of research on women's help-seeking experiences of vaginismus from their perspective. Objectives: This integrative review's objective was to explore: women's help-seeking experiences of vaginismus, and how such help-seeking experiences impact their sense of self. Design: Cooper's five-step integrative review approach was followed to develop a research question, a search strategy, selection criteria, and data evaluation, analysis, and presentation. Data Sources and Methods: A systematic search of the literature was completed in the following seven databases in January 2023: PsycINFO, ProQuest Central, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Embase. Out of the 373 articles found through database searches and additional citation searching, 22 studies were included in this review for meeting the eligibility criteria of having an empirical design, being written in English, and examining women's help-seeking experiences for vaginismus and its impact on their sense of self. Results: Thematic analysis was used to summarize the findings from the included studies which were informed by 1671 participants. Help-Seeking Process, Medical Management, Help-Seeking and Sense of Self, and Holistic Care Recommendations from the Findings emerged as four major themes with corresponding subthemes. Conclusion: This review indicates that women continue to face difficulties in seeking and receiving help for vaginismus even through the healthcare system. However, the studies did not explicitly discuss how women's help-seeking for vaginismus impacted their sense of self. This highlights an epistemological gap on how women's help-seeking for their vaginismus impacts their sense of self, which can affect their treatment responses. Recommendations are provided for future healthcare and research to improve health outcomes for women with vaginismus.
- Subjects
DYSPAREUNIA; PSYCHOLOGY information storage &; retrieval systems; ONLINE information services; CINAHL database; MEDICAL databases; FEMALE reproductive organ diseases; SEXUAL dysfunction; MEDICAL information storage &; retrieval systems; PELVIC pain; SYSTEMATIC reviews; WOMEN; HELP-seeking behavior; QUANTITATIVE research; HOLISTIC medicine; QUALITATIVE research; RESEARCH funding; DISEASE prevalence; QUALITY assurance; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; VAGINISMUS; MEDLINE; THEMATIC analysis; HEALTH self-care
- Publication
Women's Health (17455057), 2023, p1
- ISSN
1745-5057
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1177/17455057231199383