COMPARISON OF ANXIETY AND PAIN OVERSTATING IN HEALTHY FEMALES TO FEMALES WITH DYSPAREUNIA
Keywords:
Genito-pelvic discomfort, dyspareunia, anxiety, catastrophizing about pain, penetration problem, and sexual painAbstract
Background: Dyspareunia negatively affects a woman's quality of life, emotional health, and physical health. Dyspareunia has been linked to a number of distinct side effects, such as anxiety, rage, despair, lack of sense, guilt, humiliation, and embarrassment. There is a dearth of information regarding the association between cognitive factors such as anxiety and pain catastrophizing, which play a significant role in chronic pain, and dyspareunia.
Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare the levels of anxiety and pain catastrophizing in healthy females against girls with dyspareunia who were of reproductive age.
Methods: 188 married Indian women who were chosen at random for the study were evaluated for this investigation. A proforma was used to collect data on the demographics, background, and self-reported dyspareunia of all the included female participants. The study employed the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale (STAI-6) and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) to evaluate the female participants.
Methods: According to the more precise dyspareunia criteria, the percentage of females who reported having dyspareunia during the previous six months dropped to 42.02% (n=79) and 30.85% (n=58) from 49.46% (n=93). Compared to the ladies in the control group who did not have dyspareunia, the females with dyspareunia scored higher on anxiety and pain catastrophizing. Anxiety levels were tied with age, length of marriage, and sexual abuse history; on the other hand, pain catastrophizing was linked to negative body image and an avoidance of genital touch.
Conclusion: The current study concludes that there is a significant correlation between pain and anxiety that catastrophizes to dyspareunia. This suggests that while psychological factors are important in contributing to dyspareunia, they should also be taken into consideration. The ability to control worry and distressing thoughts can improve the way that people with dyspareunia handle pain.
