Grant: Operating Grant

Dyspareunia, or genito-pelvic pain associated with sexual intercourse, has traditionally been considered a women's problem. Although dyspareunia is less prevalent in men, it is not uncommon with current prevalence estimates ranging from 2-9%. The recurrent and chronic pain associated with male dyspareunia causes much distress and is hypothesized to interfere with sexual functioning, work, and general quality of life. There is currently no known cause or effective treatment for most sufferers; as a result, there is much treatment confusion among health professionals. Based on our previous research on dyspareunia in women, we believe that there are several subtypes or syndromes of male dyspareunia that can be described by their differing pain characteristics (intensity, quality, location, pattern, duration, history). Furthermore, we propose to study the same factors in men that predispose women to experience pain (e.g. elevated levels of anxiety, depression, catastrophizing etc.). Finally, we propose to collect missing sensory (e.g. pain sensitivity), pelvic floor (muscle dysfunction) and psychosocial (e.g. couple/sexual functioning, abuse history) information. In our view, it is only through a multidisciplinary biopsychosocial approach to this recurrent and chronic pain disorder that we will be able to develop effective treatments.