Psychological, Relational, and Fertility-Related Characteristics of Italian Women with Vulvodynia: A Comparative Study with Controls

Antonio Gattamelata (), Giulia Fioravanti, Vanessa Prisca Zurkirch and Nieves Moyano
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Antonio Gattamelata: Escuela de Doctorado en Psicología, Universidad de Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas s/n, 23071 Jaén, Spain
Giulia Fioravanti: Department of Health Sciences (DSS), University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy
Vanessa Prisca Zurkirch: Maternal and Child Department, Regional Reference Center on Relational Criticalities (RCRC), Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
Nieves Moyano: Escuela de Doctorado en Psicología, Universidad de Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas s/n, 23071 Jaén, Spain

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 4, 1-16

Abstract: Vulvodynia, a chronic pain condition affecting the vulvar area, is associated with significant psychological distress and profoundly impacts women’s quality of life. This study examines the psychological and relational experiences of women with vulvodynia, focusing on attachment styles, resilience, fertility-related distress, and sexual functioning. A total of 203 women (96 with vulvodynia and 107 controls), aged 19 to 50 years, were recruited and completed a series of validated psychological measures. The results revealed that women with vulvodynia reported higher levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance, lower resilience, greater fertility-related distress, impaired sexual function, reduced dyadic adjustment, and elevated depressive symptoms compared to the controls. These findings underscore the complex interplay of psychological, relational, and fertility-related challenges experienced by women with vulvodynia. This study highlights the need for integrated, multidisciplinary approaches to address the medical, psychological, and relational dimensions of the condition, ultimately improving the well-being and quality of life for affected women.

Keywords: vulvodynia; psychological distress; attachment styles; resilience; fertility distress; sexual function; dyadic adjustment; integrated interventions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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