Genital Self-Image, Sexual Function, and Quality of Life Among Individuals with Vulvar and Non-Vulvar Inflammatory Dermatoses
dc.contributor.author | Rivera, Sydney | |
dc.contributor.author | Flood, Anna | |
dc.contributor.author | Dykstra, Chandler | |
dc.contributor.author | Herbenick, Debby | |
dc.contributor.author | DeMaria, Andrea L. | |
dc.contributor.department | Medicine, School of Medicine | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2023-07-24T12:25:59Z | |
dc.date.available | 2023-07-24T12:25:59Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2022 | |
dc.description.abstract | Vulvar inflammatory dermatoses (VID; e.g., lichen sclerosus, lichen planus, vulvar dermatitis) can significantly impact sexual function. Both vulvar and non-vulvar inflammatory dermatoses (NVID; i.e., skin conditions not impacting vulvar skin, such as non-genital psoriasis and eczema/dermatitis) have yet to be fully characterized with regard to impact on genital self-image. A 20-min web-based survey was distributed September-November 2020 through social media ads, support groups, and online research recruitment services. Individuals in the USA over age 18 who were assigned female at birth and self-reported having been diagnosed with an inflammatory dermatosis were eligible. The primary outcome was the Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS). Secondary outcomes included the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Skindex-16 (a skin-related quality of life measure), the PROMIS Global-10 (assessing global physical/mental health), and sexual behavior histories. Participants (n = 348) reported mean age of 43.1 ± 15.5 (range = 19-81). Nearly one-third (n = 101; 29.0%) reported VID, 173 (50%) had NVID, and 74 (21%) experienced both vulvar and non-vulvar symptoms; they were analyzed as part of the VID group. The mean FGSIS score among participants with VID was 16.9 ± 4.1 and was significantly (p < .01) lower than that of participants with NVID (M = 21.2 ± 4.3), indicating lower genital self-image. Mental health (as measured by PROMIS-Global 10) was also impaired in VID. Rates of sexual dysfunction were high in both groups (> 60%). Findings suggest that in VID, lower genital self-image is correlated with poorer sexual function, quality of life, and global physical and mental health. Additional recommendations for VID management are proposed. | |
dc.eprint.version | Final published version | |
dc.identifier.citation | Rivera S, Flood A, Dykstra C, Herbenick D, DeMaria AL. Genital Self-Image, Sexual Function, and Quality of Life Among Individuals with Vulvar and Non-Vulvar Inflammatory Dermatoses. Arch Sex Behav. 2022;51(8):3965-3979. doi:10.1007/s10508-022-02353-0 | |
dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/1805/34550 | |
dc.language.iso | en_US | |
dc.publisher | Springer | |
dc.relation.isversionof | 10.1007/s10508-022-02353-0 | |
dc.relation.journal | Archives of Sexual Behavior | |
dc.rights | Publisher Policy | |
dc.source | PMC | |
dc.subject | Dermatology | |
dc.subject | Genital health | |
dc.subject | Genital self-image | |
dc.subject | Sexual function | |
dc.subject | Vulva | |
dc.title | Genital Self-Image, Sexual Function, and Quality of Life Among Individuals with Vulvar and Non-Vulvar Inflammatory Dermatoses | |
dc.type | Article | |
ul.alternative.fulltext | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9332093/ |