Charmazian Grounded Theory methodology was used to analyse the data and the concepts of personal agendas, survivorship and narrative identities were used to underpin data analysis. The research elucidated a number of barriers to and motivators for treatment seeking. It further identified personal agendas that influenced the treatment seeking trajectory, including the agendas to be validated and to have a treatment alliance with their health care professional. The narrative identities that had a positive influence on survivorship of genital pain conditions were redemption, positive sexual identity and positive resolution; while the narrative identity of contamination negatively influenced the treatment seeking trajectory.
Health care professionals can have a significant impact on the quality of life for women with genital pain conditions. An important aspect of this positive impact is being able to understand what agendas their patients hold and to communicate a positive regard for the woman and her experience. This research gives health care professionals a helpful insight into the treatment seeking trajectory of women with genital pain.