The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a 3-month online pelvic health program works to improve pain and sexual wellbeing in adult women with chronic genital pain. The main research questions it aims to answer are:
* How well does the program work to improve pain and sexual wellbeing? * How well does the program work to improve pain anxiety and pain interference? * How do participants rate their improvement after completing the program? * How satisfied are participants with the program?
Researchers will compare participants who receive the program right away to those who wait for the program. Participants who receive the program right away will
* Progress through the program at their own pace * Learn about pain science, do pelvic health exercises, and use information to be more mindful and less anxious about the pain * Answer questions about their pain experiences and sexual wellbeing before and after the 3-month program, as well as 3 months after the end of the program * Provide information about their experiences with the program and progress through the program during and after the program
Self-reported physician diagnosis of provoked vestibulodynia (PVD)
PVD duration of at least 3 months
PVD pain intensity rating of at least 3 on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (extreme pain)
Resides in North America (Canada or the United States)
Less than 18 years old
Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy
Breastfeeding
Up to one year postpartum
Parallel
Virtual online pelvic health program
BehavioralThe program offers a multimodal approach to self-guided treatment for PVD. Its multimodal approach is exemplified by pain education focusing on pelvic health and neuroplasticity to provide the foundation for strategies strengthening the mind-body connection to the pelvis; mindful breathing and relaxation exercises to reduce nervous system overactivation and enhance mood; and gradual progression of exercises encouraging awareness, stretching, and strengthening to promote relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles and reduction of accessory muscle tension resulting from protective guarding. The program uses 3 separate yet interconnected modules: Learn (20 modules of pain science education and skills), Rewire (11 modules featuring mindfulness and relaxation), and Move (45 pelvic and other exercises).
Sexual insertional pain
0 (no pain) to 10 (extreme pain) rating for pain experienced during sexual activities involving vaginal insertion. Higher scores indicate higher pain intensity (worse outcomes).
Nonsexual insertional pain
0 (no pain) to 10 (extreme pain) rating for pain experienced during nonsexual activities involving vaginal insertion. Higher scores indicate higher pain intensity (worse outcomes).
Provoked vulvar pain by pressure/contact
0 (no pain) to 10 (extreme pain) rating for pain experienced during activities (sexual or nonsexual) involving pressure or contact to the vaginal opening. Higher scores indicate higher pain intensity (worse outcomes).
Sexual function
Female Sexual Function Index. Range of scores is 2 to 36, with higher scores indicating better sexual function (better outcomes). A score of 26.55 and lower indicates possible sexual dysfunction.
Pain Catastrophizing
The Pain Catastrophizing Scale will be used. Total scores range from 0-52, with higher scores indicating higher catastrophizing (worse outcomes).
Pain Self-efficacy
The Pain Self-Efficacy Scale will be used. Total scores range from 0-60, with higher scores indicating greater pain self-efficacy (better outcomes).
Sexual distress
The 5 item Sexual Distress Scale will be used. Total scores range from 5-25, with higher scores indicating greater sexual distress (worse outcomes).
Adverse events
Will be collected via an open text box suitable for narrative responses from participants.
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