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A Woman with Coital Pain: New Perspectives on Provoked Vestibulodynia

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Bio-Psycho-Social Obstetrics and Gynecology

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Abstract

Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is characterized by pain at the vulvar introitus, in particular the vulvar vestibule, provoked by touch, pressure, and vaginal penetration. Although distinct and interesting hypotheses have been put forward, the pathogenesis of PVD still remains largely unknown. In general, the etiology is considered to be multifactorial. Problems arise in PVD when normal protective functions “overreact”: when normal behavior or a psychophysiological state is too extreme, too prolonged, or too intense. This attention to contextual appropriateness is one of the key principles of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynecology. It is therefore the major reason why PVD symptoms should always be put into a biopsychosocial perspective.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Prof. Dr. W.C.M. Weijmar Schultz, emeritus professor of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology, for his comments on this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Symen K. Spoelstra MD

  2. Wenckebach Institute, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Harry B. M. van de Wiel PhD

Authors
  1. Symen K. Spoelstra MD
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  2. Harry B. M. van de Wiel PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Symen K. Spoelstra MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gelre Hospitals Apeldoorn Location, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands

    K Marieke Paarlberg

  2. Wenckebach Institute, University of Groningen University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Harry B.M. van de Wiel

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Spoelstra, S.K., van de Wiel, H.B.M. (2017). A Woman with Coital Pain: New Perspectives on Provoked Vestibulodynia. In: Paarlberg, K., van de Wiel, H. (eds) Bio-Psycho-Social Obstetrics and Gynecology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40404-2_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40404-2_18

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-40402-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-40404-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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