Testing a 12-Week Virtual Program to Improve Pain and Sexual Wellbeing in Women with Provoked Vestibulodynia

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating whether a 3-month online pelvic health program can improve pain and sexual wellbeing in adult women diagnosed with provoked vestibulodynia PVD, a type of chronic genital pain. The study aims to compare outcomes between women who receive the program immediately and those who wait for treatment. It will assess pain levels, sexual function, pain anxiety, interference with life, participant ratings of improvement, and satisfaction with the program. Participants in the active treatment group will access a virtual multimodal program that includes 20 educational modules on pain science, 11 mindfulness and relaxation exercises, and 45 pelvic and other physical exercises. The program focuses on understanding pelvic health, strengthening the mind-body connection, reducing nervous system overactivation, and promoting pelvic floor muscle relaxation. Those in the waitlist control group will wait three months before receiving the same program and will complete surveys at the same time points as the treatment group. Throughout the study, participants will complete questionnaires measuring sexual and nonsexual pain, sexual function, and pain interference at baseline, immediately after the 12-week program, and at a 3-month follow-up. Researchers will also track pain catastrophizing, self-efficacy, sexual distress, participant ratings of improvement, and treatment satisfaction. The study will monitor progress through the program and any adverse events. Participation involves completing online surveys and using the program at participants own pace over several months.

Does a Virtual Program for Pelvic Pain Improve Pain and Sexual Outcomes in Individuals With Provoked Vestibulodynia?