Psychiatric Comorbidity in a Sample of Egyptian Women with Vaginismus

Abstract

aginismus is one of female sexual dysfunctions. It affects the quality of sexual and psychosocial lives of women, influencing the quality of the couple's relationship. Available studies revealed that the incidence of vaginismus is about 1–7% and sometimes reaches 5–17% in clinical settings. There were many theories who tried to explain vaginismus. However, the fear- voidance model was one of the main models and was able to postulate the disorder. Studies showed that the most frequently associated psychiatric disorders with sexual issues are Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Disorders. As for personality disorders, more cluster A and C characteristics where noticed than cluster B in association with sexual dysfunctions generally. Moreover, people with alexithymia are more prone to physical symptoms upon psychological distress. The study hypothesizes that vaginismus is associated with other psychiatric disorders, personality disorders and traits, and associated factors like (alexithymia, marital distress and distorted sexual knowledge and attitude). It also hypothesizes that it is associated with low the quality of life of its patients.