Participants needed : opportunity to be involved in vulvodynia research

[Alaine1]

Hello Everyone!

We have been asked to post a study on vulvodynia and psychological needs that some of you in the U.K. may find interesting and want to participant in. As the researcher is based in London you would either need to be local/work in London or be prepared to travel as the study does involve a face to face interview. If anyone lives further afield and wants to be involved it might be worthwhile giving the researcher Daphne a phone call seeing if there is any way she can travel to you or meet you half way? For those of you interested there is more information on the study and contact details below.

Dr Daphne Josselin at City, University of London.

Subject: Experiences of psychological needs and support among women with vulvodynia

Contact: Dr Daphne Josselin, at [e-mail], or on 07724 351 705

Details and requirements: There is little research done on the best ways to support women with vulvodynia. Yet knowing more about how women with unexplained vulval pain understand their psychological needs, and how these may be met, would enable health professionals to offer more effective forms of help. Participating in this study might also be a chance for you to have your voice heard in a safe, confidential environment, and perhaps to empower others who share a similar story.

Participation in this study involves a face-to-face interview with the researcher, lasting between 60-90 minutes, which will be audio-recorded.

The interview will take place at a location convenient to you, and your participation will remain confidential. You will be offered a voucher of £15 for a high street chain as a gesture of appreciation for your time.

In order to participate you need to have received a diagnosis of vulvodynia or vestibulodynia; to be aged 18 or over, and not have undergone menopause(*); and you need to live in the Greater London area.

This study has been reviewed by, and received ethical clearance through the Psychology Department Research Ethics Committee, City, University of London [PSYETH (S/F) 16/17 81].

*This is because chronic vulval pain may have a different origin among menopausal women, and may be associated with specific emotional difficulties.

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I studied there .. thanks for posting

[Yassy]

This I believe is due to Hysterectomy damage. Not emotional difficulties.

[Alaine1 Administrator in reply to Yassy]

The research isn’t claiming that there is a psychological cause of vulvodynia but that as a result of having the condition psychology support might be needed. An example of this would be around sex which might be extremely painful for some women with the condition and as a result put strain on the relationship with their partner. Another example would be lack of understanding by friends and employers especially if there is a need to ask for changes to uniform at work. I hope this helps