Provide names of other journalists involved.
Carolyn R. Schatz, Editor
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
May 2012 issue
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Millions of women experience pain before, during, or after sexual intercourse, but they often suffer in silence. Dyspareunia (as it is called) can be caused by hormonal changes, various medical or nerve conditions, emotional factors, or a combination of them. Treatments range from vaginal estrogen to counseling to pelvic floor physical therapy to self-care approaches such as lubricants, extended foreplay, and gentle washing. Although estrogen loss is a major culprit in sexual pain among postmenopausal women, recent research shows that vestibulodynia — a form of unexplained and persistent pain in the vulvar area — may be more common than previously thought.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
To research this story, I consulted numerous articles, research studies, books, and websites related to sexual health, including UptoDate; the V Book by Dr. Elizabeth Stewart; information from the National Vulvodynia Association, the Vulval Pain Society, the National Institutes of Health, Institute for Sexual Medicine, the North American Menopause Society, Harvard Health Publications, and other organizations; and findings published in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy and other journals. As with all articles appearing in Harvard Women’s Health Watch, several Harvard physicians vetted this piece before publication.
Explain types of human sources used.
Human sources included a physician specializing in vaginal health and sexual pain disorders (Dr. Elizabeth Stewart), a physical therapist who regularly treats pelvic floor dysfunction (Raquel Perlis), and two patients who have tried several treatments for sexual pain. I read additional patient testimony in the media and on health-related websites.
Results:
This piece was aimed at explaining a condition that causes suffering among many women (especially postmenopausal ones) and their partners. My/our goal was to let readers know they’re not alone, that a variety of therapies are available, and that research is under way to help identify the sources of their distress and roads to relief.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
No corrections or clarifications were needed.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Don’t be afraid to pursue a topic that makes people blush. In this case, many women don’t talk about painful intercourse because they feel ashamed, embarrassed, distressed, and hopeless. Covering a subject like this can be particularly gratifying because you’re probably helping more readers than you can imagine.