Today@Dal

Is pain during sex affecting your relationship?

Are you a woman between the ages of 18 and 45 who suffers from painful vaginal intercourse? Are you are in a romantic relationship and sexually active at least once per month for the preceding three months with your partner (aged 18 or older)? Do you have regular access to the internet?

If you answered yes to these questions, you and your partner may be eligible to participate in research studies examining romantic relationships, pain and sexuality.

Eligible couples will be invited to participate in one or both studies:
o Daily Goals in Couples
o A Comparison of Couple Therapy and Medical Treatment

Eligibility screening for both studies includes:
? A brief telephone questionnaire.
? Couples will come to our laboratory at Dalhousie University to complete
an interview and background questionnaires.
? Women with pain will undergo a diagnostic gynecological exam.

**Financial compensation will be provided.

All information is kept strictly confidential Please contact the Couple and Sexual Health Lab for more information or to sign up!

Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is the most common type of localized vulvodynia (i.e., discomfort or burning pain affecting the vulvar vestibule, a part of the vulva), affecting approximately 12-15% of women in the general population (Harlow, Wise, & Stewart, 2001) particularly those of child bearing age. Pain during intercourse such as in PVD is not limited to the woman's experience, but occurs in a relational context. The Couples and Sexual Health Laboratory at Dalhousie University, led by Dr. Natalie Rosen, currently has two research projects studying this condition.  pvdstudies@dal.ca
902-494-4223
www.natalieorosen.com