(039) DIVERSITY OF CAUSES OF DYSPAREUNIA IN REAL CLINICAL PRACTICE IN THE OUTPATIENT GYNECOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Authors: Maron A , Korovkina T 
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Dyspareunia is a women's sexual health problem that still often goes undiagnosed, despite its high prevalence and negative impact on sexual, marital and psychological well-being. Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (GPPPD) refers to significant pain and difficulty with penetrative sex that lasts for at least six months and might be caused by various diseases alone and their combinations.

Objective

Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine the contribution of different conditions to the total number of patients who applied for a primary appointment for GPPPD.

Methods

Women who agreed to participate in the study were presenting complaints on painful intercourse or inability to have intercourse for more than 6 months. Patients underwent a gynecological examination consisted of inspection, Q-tip testing, pelvic floor muscle testing and bimanual palpation in the lithotomy position (if it was possible). Diagnoses were documented according to the International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision World Health Organization guidelines. Pain was assessed via the McGill Pain Questionnaire and a visual analogue scale. Assessment of pelvic floor muscle dysfunction was based on an International Continence Society report on the terminology for pelvic floor muscle assessment. Vulvar pain conditions were classified based on the consensus vulvar pain terminology committee of the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease, the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health, and International Pelvic Pain Society. Statistical analyses were performed by SPSS Statistics.

Results

The average age of the examined women was 30,63±0,69 years. As a cause of GPPPD vaginismus and dyspareunia were diagnosed in 19.31 and 80.69 % respectively. Predominant cause of dyspareunia was pelvic floor muscles dysfunction (66,19%) which was combined with other pathologies (scar deformity of the perineum, endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain, candidiasis, etc.) in 20 cases. The percentage of women diagnosed with endometriosis without the formation of central pain mechanisms was 11.36%. The overlapping chronic pain conditions such as migraine, interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis and vulvodynia were diagnosed in 21.13% patients with dyspareunia. Dyspareunia due to vaginal atrophy associated with lactation, combined oral contraception use and menopause was diagnosed in 4 patients (2.82%, 1.41% and 1.41%, respectively). Scar changes of the perineum due to traumatic delivery or episiotomy amounted to 4.23%. Lichen planus was diagnosed in one patient (1.41%). Vulvodynia was diagnosed in 8 patients with dyspareunia (11.26%) and was associated with pelvic floor tension myalgia and pelvic floor myofascial pain syndrome in 75% of cases.

Conclusions

GPPPD can be caused by various conditions with significant involvement of the pelvic floor muscles in the process of pain formation. Taking into account the risk of overlapping chronic pain conditions, a multidisciplinary approach is required in the treatment of this group of patients.

Disclosure

No.