Vulval health disorders can be painful and chronic conditions. The link between long-term painful illness and the mental wellbeing of patients is firmly established. Taking into account the nature of vulval health conditions, it is important to gain an understanding into the impact they can have upon a patient’s quality of life. As part of an initiative aimed at expanding insight into the realities of living with this type of problem, the British Association of Dermatologists surveyed 325 British women who had suffered, or were currently suffering, from a vulval health disorder.
The study took the form of an online survey, collecting mostly quantitative data, with some qualitative insights. Responses were gathered under the categories of demographics; vulval condition; treatment; physical impact; impact upon career and social life; impact upon romantic and/or sexual relationships, and effect on emotional and mental wellbeing. Eighty-nine percent of survey respondents reported that their vulval health disorder had negatively affected their emotional and mental wellbeing. Patients suffering with a vulval health disorder were twice as likely to have suffered with depression and 22% reported having contemplated self-harm or suicide as a result of their condition. Overall, vulval health conditions were found to have a significant impact on quality of life for patients, affecting every aspect to some extent.
Katrin Lehmann aims to address common societal views that deny women with disabilities the right to sexuality and challenges some of these views and beliefs, focusing on the promotion of positive sexuality.
Katrin Lehmann RN (Child Branch), BSc (Hons), PG Cert Specialist Practice (Child & Adolescent Mental Health), Cert Counselling, Cert Health Studies, is an Adolescent Team Nurse within the Multidisciplinary Adolescent Team and Bank Nurse (Family Planning), North & West Belfast HSS Trust, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Thanks go to Jill Stewart Moore, Lecturer, Queens University and colleagues in the Multidisciplinary Adolescent Team for their encouragement and support in the process of publishing this article.
Article accepted for publication: July 2005
Emma Fawcett discusses the evidence behind recent changes to the cervical screening programme in the UK.
Emma Fawcett RGN, DipN, BSc (Hons) is a Practice Nurse in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
Article accepted for publication: December 2006
