- 11:00: Trial lecture
- 13:00: Public defence
You can also follow this event online (oslomet.zoom.us).
The webinar ID is 629 0675 1932 and the passcode is 0325.
The ordinary opponents are:
- First opponent: Associate Professor Natalie Rosen, Dalhouise University, Canada
- Second opponent: Professor Christian Moltu, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
- Leader of the committee: Professor Anne Kaasen, OsloMet
The leader of the public defense is Professor Tone Dahl-Michelsen, OsloMet.
The main supervisor is Professor Karen Synne Groven, OsloMet. The co-supervisors are Professor Silje Reme, University of Oslo and Associate Professor Gro Killi Haugstad, OsloMet.
Thesis abstract
Vulvodynia is a chronic genital pain condition that affects around 15 percent of women at some point in their lives, and its prevalence seems to be increasing.
It's linked to a variety of psychological and physical health problems, including anxiety, depression, sexual dysfunction, distress, and other pain conditions. Because the pain, often felt during sexual activity, is usually invisible to anyone other than the woman's partner, it's often overlooked and underdiagnosed.
For male partners, vulvodynia can lead to reduced sexual health. The way partners respond to the pain is one of the most studied aspects of vulvodynia, and it's thought to influence how the couple manages emotion regulation and their overall relationship and sexual satisfaction.
Although more research is now focusing on vulvodynia, it's still not studied enough in health research, and we know little about how it affects partners and relationships.
The relationship aspects of vulvodynia
This thesis looks at the relationship aspects of vulvodynia, and how it affects both women and their partners. It also offers insights into the important role partners can play in managing and treating vulvodynia.
The research included studies exploring the experiences of eight heterosexual couples and how they coped with the pain. We looked at how women’s pain coping was influenced by their partners, health professionals, social network, and cultural expectations regarding male and female sexuality.
We also explored how male partners coped with conflicting ideas about masculinity and how this influenced their responses to their partner’s pain. Lastly, we examined the links between various factors and how partner responses to pain, and how this differed between men who were sexually active versus those who were not.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the studies show that vulvodynia can present many challenges for couples, including understanding the condition, feeling socially isolated, and dealing with complex sexual expectations.
The experiences of these couples emphasize the need for greater awareness, better healthcare, and open communication. The findings also highlight how partners' responses can affect sexual and relationship satisfaction, and the crucial role of mental health in managing vulvodynia.
