This research aims to explore the interplay between distress and treatment seeking for women with genital pain. It is estimated that 15% of women experience dyspareunia. A compounding factor in the detection and management of dyspareunia is distress. Higher levels of distress are associated with the desire to seek treatment however there is little research exploring the interplay between distress and treatment seeking behaviours.
Eleven women with genital pain completed the Female Sexual Distress Scale and two semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Data is also being collected through a qualitative on-line questionnaire. Charmazian Grounded Theory methodology is being used to analyse the data in order to develop a substantive grounded theory.
With focused coding complete and theoretical coding actively being undertaken several early conceptual processes are emerging. The meta-concepts of treatment trajectory and biographies are being used to organise the emerging themes. Several processes appear to be pivotal in the experience of distress during treatment seeking. This talk will focus on the interplay between sexual self-schema, distress and treatment seeking. Other important processes include the perceived level of control the woman has over her body and other aspects of her life, as well as, the experience of hope and despair during the treatment seeking process. Distress is a common yet varied experience of women with genital pain. A better understanding of women’s experience of distress during the treatment seeking process will be helpful for health professional who support women with genital pain.