Female Sexual Pain Disorders and Article Review

Additionally, the author concluded that other noninvasive treatments could be used, and those treatments may be better for treating the psychological aspects of female sexual pain disorders. Supported psychotherapy and biofeedback were two of the suggested options that could be used in place of cognitive behavioral therapy, indicating that the author was aware of the value of cognitive behavioral therapy but also aware of the limitations of the technique in this context (LoFrisco, 2011).

The article was interesting, mostly because female sexual pain disorders are something about which most people do not talk. There is a certain "taboo" about female sexuality and sexual health that began many years ago and has carried right on through the modern day (Bergeron, et al., 2001; Van Lankveld, et al., 2006). Although women are more open about their sexuality than they used to be, there are many areas of sexual health they still do not discuss and may not feel comfortable addressing with a partner or even with their doctor. The research into sexual pain disorders in women is very valuable because of the taboo and because it is important to let women know that these disorders exist and that there is more they can do to seek help for them (Van Lankveld, et al., 2006). They are not alone in the issues with which they may struggle in life, and they need to understand that they have many options they can consider - and that not all of those options are designed for their physical health, but for their psychological health, as well. The study could be very helpful to women who are uncertain what else they can do about their sexual pain disorder, and could also help doctors and other practitioners understand that there is more than just physical health to be considered with these kinds of disorders.The study was very ethical because the author used only the studies of others, and did not undertake any experimentation or study of human subjects, specifically. More research is needed into the area of female sexual pain disorders, however, so individuals who are interested in this area of study have more to consider and can help more women. The next step for this line of research should be to undertake a more comprehensive study that addresses more than just cognitive behavioral therapy when it comes to female sexual pain disorders. The study should address biofeedback, other types of psychological counseling, and other mental health support services in order to determine how much effect they have on sexual pain disorders in women and which one is the most beneficial, overall.

References

Bergeron, S., Binik, Y.M., Khalife', S., Pagidas, K., Glazer, H.I., Meana, M., et al. (2001). A randomized comparison of group cognitive -- behavioral therapy, surface electromyographic biofeedback, and vestibulectomy in the treatment of dyspareunia resulting from vulvar vestibulitis. Pain, 91, 297 -- 306.

LoFrisco, B.M. (2011). Female sexual pain disorders and cognitive behavioral therapy. Journal of Sex Research, 48(6): 573-579.

Van Lankveld, J.J.D.M., ter Kuile, M.M., de Groot, H.E., Mellis, R., Nefs, J., & Zandbergen, M. (2006). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for women with lifelong vaginismus: A randomized waiting list….....