(035) EndoCouples: Working with Couples Struggling with Painful Sex Due to Endometriosis

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Endometriosis (endo) is a chronic gynecological illness that affects millions of women. Endo has three main symptoms that are often the trigger for diagnosis though diagnosis can only be confirmed through laparoscopy. Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure that allows a surgeon to view the organs in the abdomen and the presence of endometriosis. The third most common symptom of endometriosis after infertility and dysmenorrhea (painful periods) is dyspareunia or pain with intercourse. Presentations with dyspareunia are typically first thought to be psychological and related to instances of childhood sexual abuse, frigidity, relationship issues, or sexual inexperience without consideration of a biological impact. The majority of the medical literature on endometriosis addresses the physical impact of endometriosis and quality of life as well as infertility, but the emotional impact on the couple relationship is often overlooked and under researched. Objectives The goal of this study was to explore the specific impact of dyspareunia due to endometriosis on the intimate relationship from the lived experience of couples. Methods With this goal in mind, it was best to use a qualitative phenomenological methodology. By choosing to use a qualitative approach and a smaller sample, this study explored in-depth all the variables that each couple brings to their experiences of the same symptoms of the same chronic illness – dyspareunia due to endometriosis. Results All ten couples talked about how the dyspareunia had affected the intimate and sexual parts of their relationships in varying degrees ranging from occasional pain with penetration to the complete inability to have intercourse. The couples talked about how the pain has changed the way they have intercourse and the learning curve they have experienced in continuing to try to have a fulfilling sexual relationship. Conclusions Couples with dyspareunia due to endometriosis are not all destined to a relationship without sex or intimacy. Relationship talk, creativity, alternatives to intercourse, and communication about boundaries during sex have provided these couples with opportunities to intimately connect. These couples demonstrate examples of resilience and exhibit skills to be incorporated in developing a therapeutic treatment model for couples with endo. Disclosure No.