Experiences of Living with Autoimmune Disorders and Painful Sex in Ova-having Bodies

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction There is a biological sex bias against ova-havers regarding autoimmune disorder (AD) diagnosis, painful sexual experiences, and mood disorders (Basson, 2012; Brotto, 2018; Laumann et al., 1999; Kiesel, 2017). Clinically, a pattern emerged with the co-occurrence of these three diagnoses in ova-having clients who sought sex therapy to treat painful sex. Research shows that sexual dysfunction is more prevalent in ova-having, rather than testes-having, individuals, and that sexual pain was a specific, prevalent marker of poor health in those individuals (Laumann et al., 1999). In addition to the physical issues suffered by these clients, there are countless potential issues peripheral to their diagnosis, depending on the AD that is diagnosed. Furthermore, there are mental and emotional issues related to chronic stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and central sensitization which are associated with the comorbidity of AD's and painful sexual experiences (Basson, 2012; Brotto, 2018). Objective Researchers are conducting interviews to explore lived experiences of ova-havers who report both an AD diagnosis and sexual pain symptoms. They are examining both the presence and presentation of the overlap in comorbidities occurring, and considering the implicating and impacting factors experienced in multiple common facets of these individuals’ lives. The aim with this study is not only to help ova-having people receive more systemic, holistic treatment, but to also illuminate their voices and lived experiences, creating a call to action and collaboration in those that treat this population. Methods The researchers use a phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of ova-havers comorbidly diagnosed with AD's who also report painful sex symptoms. Participants start by taking a Qualtrics survey, going through informed consent for the screener questions. Upon agreement of informed consent, participants answer pre-qualifying questions to participate in the study. If qualified, the participant goes through a second informed consent which then directs the participant to contact one of the researchers to schedule an interview via email. The researchers conduct semi-structured interviews using IRB-approved questions. The interviews are conducted via Zoom and recorded for transcription purposes. The interviews are scrubbed of identifying data, coded, and transcribed. Themes are pulled out during data collection and coding. The researchers are the research instrument, asking questions, taking notes, making observations. Member checks will be conducted as we get closer to data saturation, results, and conclusions. Results Results have not yet been determined. The study has obtained approximately 25% of the desired number of participants at this time. The researchers do not believe that six participants are enough to declare data saturation yet. They met with their IRB to explore options to attain desired number of participants (N=25). Themes beginning to emerge include: the onus of proving the problem and receiving adequate treatment is on the participant; compounded distress due to diagnoses and subsequent diagnoses. No overlaps in type of AD among participants thus far. Conclusions The researchers cannot provide a conclusion because data saturation has not been reached and our study is still ongoing. Co-PIs are working with IRB to obtain approval for additional methods of accessing potential participants. Disclosure No