183870 A qualitative assessment of vulvovaginal pain in young African American women

Monday, October 27, 2008

Laurie Legocki, PhD(c), MS , Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Catherine Sherwood, HSD, MPH , Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Mary Ott, MD , Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
J. Dennis Fortenberry, MD, MS , Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Michael Reece, PhD, MPH , Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Abstract

Background: Up to 15% of adult women experience vulvovaginal pain, but little is known about, young African American women who experience pain and how it affects their sexual health. The purpose of the study was to explore how individual, relational, and cultural factors influence the construction of meaning within the context of vulvovaginal pain.

Methods: Data were collected from 14 African American women between the ages of 18 and 23 who have self identified as having vulvovaginal pain and 5 women without pain. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted to better understand the scope of vulvovaginal pain within this under represented population of women. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed and coded to identify emerging themes.

Results: Many of the women experienced pain upon penetration (n=9), during intercourse (n=5) and after intercourse (n=10). Chronic yeast infections (n=6) and irritation in the vagina (n=9) where also common. Women attributed their pain to many factors including, penis size (n=13), not interested in sex (n=5), and problems related to the tightness or the shape of their vagina (n=7). As one women explained, “I think it's me. I mean maybe it's the way I'm shaped or something.” The majority of women (n=12) felt it was normal to experience pain and felt that is was something that many of their friends experienced.

Conclusions: Young women perceived vulvovaginal pain to be “normal.” This internal perception of vulvovaginal pain has practical implications towards effectively educating young women about their sexual development, sexual activity, and how it relates to reproductive health issues.

Learning Objectives:
1. To understand the impact that vulvovaginal pain has on the sexual development of young women.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was the PI on this project which was conducted for the completion of my PhD.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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