Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Current Sexual Health Reports 3/2018

01-09-2018 | Clinical Therapeutics (B McCarthy and RT Segraves, Section Editors)

Couple Sex Therapy Versus Group Therapy for Women with Genito-pelvic Pain

Authors: Sophie Bergeron, Kathleen E. Merwin, Justin P. Dubé, Natalie O. Rosen

Published in: Current Sexual Health Reports | Issue 3/2018

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for genito-pelvic pain targets the reduction of pain and the improvement of sexual function/satisfaction. CBT has the additional advantage of being amenable to group and couple formats. However, guidelines for the choice of format have not been specified in the literature. The present review aimed to compare group and couple CBT and to formulate recommendations concerning when to choose one approach over the other.

Recent Findings

Although group CBT has been studied more extensively via randomized clinical trials, both approaches are helpful in reducing women’s pain and improving their sexual function/satisfaction. Advantages of group CBT include cost-effectiveness and social support, whereas advantages of couple CBT include incorporating the partner and focusing on couples’ intimacy.

Summary

Given its cost-effectiveness, group CBT should constitute a first-line treatment. Couple CBT should be recommended when both partners are motivated to improve their sexuality and relationship.
Literature
1.
go back to reference American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2013.CrossRef American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2013.CrossRef
3.
go back to reference Harlow BL, Haviland MJ, Bergeron S. Vulvodynia and psychiatric comorbidities. In: Incayawar M, Clark MR, Maldonado-Bouchard S, editors. Overlapping pain and psychiatric syndromes—global perspectives. Oxford: The Oxford University Press; in press. Harlow BL, Haviland MJ, Bergeron S. Vulvodynia and psychiatric comorbidities. In: Incayawar M, Clark MR, Maldonado-Bouchard S, editors. Overlapping pain and psychiatric syndromes—global perspectives. Oxford: The Oxford University Press; in press.
6.
go back to reference Meana M, Binik YM, Khalife S, Cohen DR. Biopsychosocial profile of women with dyspareunia. Obstet Gynecol. 1997;90:583–9.CrossRefPubMed Meana M, Binik YM, Khalife S, Cohen DR. Biopsychosocial profile of women with dyspareunia. Obstet Gynecol. 1997;90:583–9.CrossRefPubMed
16.
22.
go back to reference Reed BD, Haefner HK, Punch MR, Roth RS, Gorenflo DW, Gillespie BW. Psychosocial and sexual functioning in women with vulvodynia and chronic pelvic pain. A comparative evaluation. J Reprod Med. 2000;45:624–32.PubMed Reed BD, Haefner HK, Punch MR, Roth RS, Gorenflo DW, Gillespie BW. Psychosocial and sexual functioning in women with vulvodynia and chronic pelvic pain. A comparative evaluation. J Reprod Med. 2000;45:624–32.PubMed
27.
go back to reference Nylanderlundqvist E, Bergdahl J. Vulvar vestibulitis: evidence of depression and state anxiety in patients and partners. Acta Derm Venereol. 2003;83:369–73.CrossRefPubMed Nylanderlundqvist E, Bergdahl J. Vulvar vestibulitis: evidence of depression and state anxiety in patients and partners. Acta Derm Venereol. 2003;83:369–73.CrossRefPubMed
35.
go back to reference Sheppard C, Hallam-Jones R, Wylie K. Why have you both come? Emotional, relationship, sexual and social issues raised by heterosexual couples seeking sexual therapy (in women referred to a sexual difficulties clinic with a history of vulval pain). Sex Rel Ther. 2008;23:217–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681990802227974.CrossRef Sheppard C, Hallam-Jones R, Wylie K. Why have you both come? Emotional, relationship, sexual and social issues raised by heterosexual couples seeking sexual therapy (in women referred to a sexual difficulties clinic with a history of vulval pain). Sex Rel Ther. 2008;23:217–26. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1080/​1468199080222797​4.CrossRef
36.
go back to reference Gordon AS, Panahian-Jand M, McComb F, Melegari C, Sharp S. Characteristics of women with vulvar pain disorders: responses to a web-based survey. J Sex Marital Ther. 2003;29:45–58.CrossRefPubMed Gordon AS, Panahian-Jand M, McComb F, Melegari C, Sharp S. Characteristics of women with vulvar pain disorders: responses to a web-based survey. J Sex Marital Ther. 2003;29:45–58.CrossRefPubMed
40.
go back to reference Reis HT, Shaver P. Intimacy as an interpersonal process. In: Duck SW, editor. Handbook of personal relationships. Chichester: Wiley; 1988. p. 367–89. Reis HT, Shaver P. Intimacy as an interpersonal process. In: Duck SW, editor. Handbook of personal relationships. Chichester: Wiley; 1988. p. 367–89.
41.•
go back to reference Bois K, Bergeron S, Rosen N, Mayrand M-H, Brassard A, Sadikaj G. Intimacy, sexual satisfaction and sexual distress in vulvodynia couples: an observational study. Health Psychol. 2016;35:531–40. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0000289. First couple observational study in the field of women’s sexual dysfunction. CrossRefPubMed Bois K, Bergeron S, Rosen N, Mayrand M-H, Brassard A, Sadikaj G. Intimacy, sexual satisfaction and sexual distress in vulvodynia couples: an observational study. Health Psychol. 2016;35:531–40. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1037/​hea0000289. First couple observational study in the field of women’s sexual dysfunction. CrossRefPubMed
44.
go back to reference Griffin DW, Bartholomew K. Models of the self and other: fundamental dimensions underlying measures of adult attachment. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1994;67:430–45.CrossRef Griffin DW, Bartholomew K. Models of the self and other: fundamental dimensions underlying measures of adult attachment. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1994;67:430–45.CrossRef
50.
57.•
66.
go back to reference Bergeron S, Rosen NO, Pukall CP. Genital pain in women and men: it can hurt more than your sex life. In: Binik YM, Hall K, editors. Principles and practice of sex therapy, 5th edition. New York: The Guilford Press; 2014. p. 159–76. Bergeron S, Rosen NO, Pukall CP. Genital pain in women and men: it can hurt more than your sex life. In: Binik YM, Hall K, editors. Principles and practice of sex therapy, 5th edition. New York: The Guilford Press; 2014. p. 159–76.
67.
go back to reference Bergeron S, Rosen NO, Corsini-Munt S. Painful sex. In: Levine SB, Risen CB, Althof SE, editors. Handbook of clinical sexuality for mental health professionals. 3rd ed. New York: Brunner-Routledge; 2016. Bergeron S, Rosen NO, Corsini-Munt S. Painful sex. In: Levine SB, Risen CB, Althof SE, editors. Handbook of clinical sexuality for mental health professionals. 3rd ed. New York: Brunner-Routledge; 2016.
70.••
go back to reference Bergeron S, Khalifé S, Dupuis M-J, McDuff P. A randomized clinical trial comparing group cognitive-behavioral therapy and a topical steroid for women with dyspareunia. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2016;84:259–68. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000072. First randomized trial showing superiority of CBT over medical treatment. CrossRefPubMed Bergeron S, Khalifé S, Dupuis M-J, McDuff P. A randomized clinical trial comparing group cognitive-behavioral therapy and a topical steroid for women with dyspareunia. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2016;84:259–68. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1037/​ccp0000072. First randomized trial showing superiority of CBT over medical treatment. CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Couple Sex Therapy Versus Group Therapy for Women with Genito-pelvic Pain
Authors
Sophie Bergeron
Kathleen E. Merwin
Justin P. Dubé
Natalie O. Rosen
Publication date
01-09-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Sexual Health Reports / Issue 3/2018
Print ISSN: 1548-3584
Electronic ISSN: 1548-3592
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-018-0154-5

Other articles of this Issue 3/2018

Current Sexual Health Reports 3/2018 Go to the issue

Medical Comorbidities (A Goldstein, M Miner and S Parish, Section Editors)

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM): the Role of Intravaginal DHEA (Prasterone)

Medical Comorbidities (A Goldstein, M Miner, and S Parish, Section Editors)

Interstitial Cystitis and Sexual Dysfunction: Diagnostic Accuracy Is Essential

Male Sexual Dysfunction and Disorders (AW Pastuszak and NK Gupta, Section Editors)

Preoperative and Postoperative Considerations in Gender-Affirming Surgery

Preclinical and Psychophysiology (F Guarraci and L Marson, Section Editors)

Compulsive Sexual Behavior in Humans and Preclinical Models

Preclinical and Psychophysiology (F Guarraci and L Marson, Section Editors)

Sexual Motivation: A Comparative Approach in Vertebrate Species

Male Sexual Dysfunction and Disorders (AW Pastuszak and NK Gupta, Section Editors)

Post-finasteride Syndrome: A Review of Current Literature