{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,11,14]],"date-time":"2026-11-14T09:28:03Z","timestamp":1794648483186,"version":"4.9.1"},"reference-count":48,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"3","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2018,7,25]],"date-time":"2018-07-25T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1532476800000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Arch Sex Behav"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2019,4]]},"DOI":"10.1007\/s10508-018-1246-z","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2018,7,25]],"date-time":"2018-07-25T15:13:57Z","timestamp":1532531637000},"page":"961-974","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":45,"title":["Women\u2019s Experiences of Vulvodynia: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Journey Toward Diagnosis"],"prefix":"10.1007","volume":"48","author":[{"given":"Rebekah","family":"Shallcross","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Joanne M.","family":"Dickson","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"David","family":"Nunns","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Kate","family":"Taylor","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Gundi","family":"Kiemle","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2018,7,25]]},"reference":[{"key":"1246_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"617","DOI":"10.1097\/01.AOG.0000199951.26822.27","volume":"107","author":"LD Arnold","year":"2006","unstructured":"Arnold, L. D., Bachmann, G. A., Kelly, S., Rosen, R., & Rhoads, G. G. (2006). Vulvodynia: characteristics and associations with co-morbidities and quality of life. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 107, 617\u2013624.","journal-title":"Obstetrics and Gynecology"},{"key":"1246_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"294","DOI":"10.1007\/s10508-007-9204-1","volume":"37","author":"K Ayling","year":"2008","unstructured":"Ayling, K., & Ussher, J. M. (2008). \u201cIf sex hurts, am i still a woman?\u201d The subjective experience of vulvodynia in hetero-sexual women. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 37, 294\u2013304.","journal-title":"Archives of Sexual Behavior"},{"key":"1246_CR3","unstructured":"Bailey, S. (2011). Taking up the challenge: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of teachers\u2019 perceptions regarding the presence of asylum seeker and refugee pupils (ASR) within mainstream primary schools in the Midlands, and the implications this may have for educational psychologist practice (Unpublished doctoral thesis). The University of Birmingham, Birmingham."},{"key":"1246_CR4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3","DOI":"10.1080\/14681994.2012.686661","volume":"28","author":"LA Brotto","year":"2013","unstructured":"Brotto, L. A., Basson, R., Carlson, M., & Zhu, C. (2013). Impact of an integrated mindfulness and cognitive behavioral treatment for provoked vestibulodynia (IMPROVED): A qualitative study. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 28, 3\u201319.","journal-title":"Sexual and Relationship Therapy"},{"key":"1246_CR5","first-page":"15","volume":"52","author":"A Buchan","year":"2007","unstructured":"Buchan, A., Munday, P., Ravenhill, G., Wiggs, A., & Brooks, F. (2007). A qualitative study of women with vulvodynia I. The journey into treatment. Journal of Reproductive Medicine for the Obstetrician and Gynecologist, 52, 15\u201318.","journal-title":"Journal of Reproductive Medicine for the Obstetrician and Gynecologist"},{"key":"1246_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"324","DOI":"10.1080\/14681994.2013.842969","volume":"28","author":"JJ Connor","year":"2013","unstructured":"Connor, J. J., Brix, C. M., & Trudeau-Hern, S. (2013). The diagnosis of provoked vestibulodynia: Steps and roadblocks in a long journey. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 28, 324\u2013335.","journal-title":"Sexual and Relationship Therapy"},{"key":"1246_CR7","first-page":"1","volume":"6","author":"P Conrad","year":"1987","unstructured":"Conrad, P. (1987). The experience of illness: Recent and new directions. Research in the Sociology of Health Care, 6, 1\u201331.","journal-title":"Research in the Sociology of Health Care"},{"key":"1246_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"13","DOI":"10.1080\/00224490309552163","volume":"40","author":"M Crawford","year":"2003","unstructured":"Crawford, M., & Popp, D. (2003). Sexual double standards: A review and methodological critique of two decades of research. Journal of Sex Research, 40, 13\u201326.","journal-title":"Journal of Sex Research"},{"key":"1246_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"763","DOI":"10.1111\/bjhp.12020","volume":"18","author":"NL Dennis","year":"2013","unstructured":"Dennis, N. L., Larkin, M., & Derbyshire, S. W. (2013). \u201cA giant mess\u201d\u2014making sense of complexity in the accounts of people with fibromyalgia. British Journal of Health Psychology, 18, 763\u2013781.","journal-title":"British Journal of Health Psychology"},{"key":"1246_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.4102\/phcfm.v7i1.691","volume":"7","author":"R Plessis Du","year":"2015","unstructured":"Du Plessis, R. (2015). A discourse analysis of male sexuality in the magazine Intimacy. African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine, 7, 1\u20137.","journal-title":"African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine"},{"key":"1246_CR11","first-page":"1000","volume":"28","author":"E Eppsteiner","year":"2014","unstructured":"Eppsteiner, E., Boardman, L., & Stockdale, C. K. (2014). Vulvodynia, best practice and research. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 28, 1000\u20131012.","journal-title":"Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology"},{"key":"1246_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"114","DOI":"10.1080\/10532528.2003.10559813","volume":"14","author":"T Exner","year":"2003","unstructured":"Exner, T., Dworkin, S., Hoffman, S., & Ehrhardt, A. (2003). Beyond the male condom: The evolution of gender-specific HIV intervention for women. Annual Review of Sex Research, 14, 114\u2013136.","journal-title":"Annual Review of Sex Research"},{"key":"1246_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"285","DOI":"10.1177\/0959353598083004","volume":"8","author":"L Gannon","year":"1998","unstructured":"Gannon, L. (1998). The impact of medical and sexual politics on women\u2019s health. Feminism and Psychology, 8, 285\u2013302.","journal-title":"Feminism and Psychology"},{"key":"1246_CR14","volume-title":"Sexual behaviors and sexual self-schema in women with vulvar vestibulitis","author":"EA Gates","year":"2001","unstructured":"Gates, E. A. (2001). Sexual behaviors and sexual self-schema in women with vulvar vestibulitis. Iowa City: University of Iowa."},{"key":"1246_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"221","DOI":"10.3109\/01674820109049977","volume":"22","author":"EA Gates","year":"2001","unstructured":"Gates, E. A., & Galask, R. P. (2001). Psychological and sexual functioning in women with vulvar vestibulitis. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 22, 221\u2013228.","journal-title":"Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology"},{"key":"1246_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"49","DOI":"10.1057\/palgrave.fr.9400262","volume":"82","author":"A Kaler","year":"2006","unstructured":"Kaler, A. (2006). Unreal women: Sex, gender, identity and the lived experience of vulvar pain. Feminist Review, 82, 49\u201374.","journal-title":"Feminist Review"},{"key":"1246_CR17","volume-title":"Women\u2019s health, politics, and power: essays on sex\/gender, medicine, and public health","author":"N Krieger","year":"1994","unstructured":"Krieger, N., & Fee, E. (1994). Women\u2019s health, politics, and power: essays on sex\/gender, medicine, and public health. Amityville: Baywood Publishing Company."},{"key":"1246_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"318","DOI":"10.1177\/0959354310377544","volume":"21","author":"M Larkin","year":"2011","unstructured":"Larkin, M., Eatough, V., & Osborn, M. (2011). Interpretative phenomenological analysis and embodied, active, situated cognition. Theory and Psychology, 21, 318\u2013337.","journal-title":"Theory and Psychology"},{"key":"1246_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"102","DOI":"10.1191\/1478088706qp062oa","volume":"3","author":"M Larkin","year":"2006","unstructured":"Larkin, M., Watts, S., & Clifton, E. (2006). Giving voice and making sense in interpretative phenomenological analysis. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3, 102\u2013120.","journal-title":"Qualitative Research in Psychology"},{"key":"1246_CR20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.56021\/9780801859410","volume-title":"The technology of orgasm: \u201cHysteria,\u201d the vibrator, and women\u2019s sexual satisfaction","author":"RP Maines","year":"1999","unstructured":"Maines, R. P. (1999). The technology of orgasm: \u201cHysteria,\u201d the vibrator, and women\u2019s sexual satisfaction. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press."},{"key":"1246_CR100","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"42","DOI":"10.1177\/089124396010001004","volume":"10","author":"S Marken","year":"1996","unstructured":"Marken, S. (1996). The problematic \u201cexperience\u201d: A political and cultural critique of PMS. Gender and Society, 10, 42\u201358.","journal-title":"Gender and Society"},{"key":"1246_CR21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"243","DOI":"10.1080\/14768320601168185","volume":"23","author":"C Marriott","year":"2008","unstructured":"Marriott, C., & Thompson, A. R. (2008). Managing threats to femininity: Personal and interpersonal experience of living with vulval pain. Psychology and Health, 23, 243\u2013258.","journal-title":"Psychology and Health"},{"key":"1246_CR22","volume-title":"The woman in the body: A cultural analysis of reproduction","author":"E Martin","year":"1987","unstructured":"Martin, E. (1987). The woman in the body: A cultural analysis of reproduction. Milton Keynes, UK: Open University Press."},{"key":"1246_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"229","DOI":"10.1016\/S0277-5395(01)00160-1","volume":"24","author":"K McPhillips","year":"2001","unstructured":"McPhillips, K., Braun, V., & Gavey, N. (2001). Defining (hetero)sex: How imperative is the \u201ccoital imperative\u201d? Women\u2019s Studies International Forum, 24, 229\u2013240.","journal-title":"Women\u2019s Studies International Forum"},{"key":"1246_CR160","first-page":"772","volume":"49","author":"M Moyal-Barracco","year":"2004","unstructured":"Moyal-Barracco, M., & Lynch, P. J. (2004). 2003 ISSVD terminology and classification of vulvodynia: A historical perspective. Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 49, 772\u2013777.","journal-title":"Journal of Reproductive Medicine"},{"key":"1246_CR24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"45","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.326.7379.45","volume":"326","author":"R Moynihan","year":"2003","unstructured":"Moynihan, R. (2003). The making of a disease: Female sexual dysfunction. British Medical Journal, 326, 45\u201347.","journal-title":"British Medical Journal"},{"key":"1246_CR25","first-page":"19","volume":"52","author":"P Munday","year":"2007","unstructured":"Munday, P., Buchan, A., Ravenhill, G., Wiggs, A., & Brooks, F. (2007). A qualitative study of women with vulvodynia II. Response to a multidisciplinary approach to management. Journal of Reproductive Medicine for the Obstetrician and Gynecologist, 52, 19\u201322.","journal-title":"Journal of Reproductive Medicine for the Obstetrician and Gynecologist"},{"key":"1246_CR26","volume-title":"Social constructionist psychology: A critical analysis of theory and practice","author":"D Nightingale","year":"1999","unstructured":"Nightingale, D., & Cromby, J. (1999). Social constructionist psychology: A critical analysis of theory and practice. Philadelphia, PA: Open University Press."},{"key":"1246_CR27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.e1723","volume":"344","author":"D Nunns","year":"2012","unstructured":"Nunns, D., & Murphy, R. (2012). Assessment and management of vulval pain. British Medical Journal, 344, 1\u20137.","journal-title":"British Medical Journal"},{"key":"1246_CR28","unstructured":"QSR International Ltd. (2012). NVIVO qualitative data analysis software, Vol. Version 10."},{"key":"1246_CR29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ajog.2012.06.067","volume":"206","author":"BD Reed","year":"2012","unstructured":"Reed, B. D., Harlow, S. D., Sen, A., Legocki, L. J., Edwards, R. M., Arato, N., & Haefner, H. K. (2012). Prevalence and demographic characteristics of vulvodynia in a population-based sample. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 206, e1\u2013e9.","journal-title":"American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology"},{"key":"1246_CR30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1093\/oso\/9780198731924.001.0001","volume-title":"Language in society: An introduction to sociolinguistics","author":"S Romaine","year":"2000","unstructured":"Romaine, S. (2000). Language in society: An introduction to sociolinguistics. Oxford: Oxford University Press."},{"key":"1246_CR31","first-page":"593","volume":"46","author":"S Sackett","year":"2001","unstructured":"Sackett, S., Gates, E., Heckman-Stone, C., Kobus, A. M., & Galask, R. (2001). Psychosexual aspects of vulvar vestibulitis. Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 46, 593\u2013598.","journal-title":"Journal of Reproductive Medicine"},{"key":"1246_CR32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1086","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1743-6109.2011.02641.x","volume":"9","author":"LA Sadownik","year":"2012","unstructured":"Sadownik, L. A., Seal, B. N., & Brotto, L. A. (2012a). Provoked vestibulodynia-women\u2019s experience of participating in a multidisciplinary vulvodynia program. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 9, 1086\u20131093.","journal-title":"Journal of Sexual Medicine"},{"key":"1246_CR33","first-page":"22","volume":"54","author":"LA Sadownik","year":"2012","unstructured":"Sadownik, L. A., Seal, B. N., & Brotto, L. A. (2012b). Provoked vestibulodynia: A qualitative exploration of women\u2019s experiences. British Columbia Medical Journal, 54, 22\u201328.","journal-title":"British Columbia Medical Journal"},{"key":"1246_CR34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1041","DOI":"10.1089\/jwh.1998.7.1041","volume":"7","author":"SA Selfe","year":"1998","unstructured":"Selfe, S. A., Matthews, Z., & Stones, R. W. (1998). Factors influencing outcome in consultations for chronic pelvic pain. Journal of Women\u2019s Health, 7, 1041\u20131048.","journal-title":"Journal of Women\u2019s Health"},{"key":"1246_CR35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"577","DOI":"10.1007\/s10508-017-1026-1","volume":"47","author":"R Shallcross","year":"2018","unstructured":"Shallcross, R., Dickson, J., Nunns, D., MacKenzie, K., & Kiemle, G. (2018). What are women\u2019s subjective experiences of living with vulvodynia? A systematic review and meta-ethnography. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 47, 577\u2013595.","journal-title":"Archives of Sexual Behavior"},{"key":"1246_CR36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"261","DOI":"10.1080\/08870449608400256","volume":"11","author":"JA Smith","year":"1996","unstructured":"Smith, J. A. (1996). Beyond the divide between cognition and discourse: Using interpretative phenomenological analysis in health psychology. Psychology and Health, 11, 261\u2013271.","journal-title":"Psychology and Health"},{"key":"1246_CR37","first-page":"39","volume":"1","author":"JA Smith","year":"2004","unstructured":"Smith, J. A. (2004). Relecting on the development of interpretative phenomenological analysis and it\u2019s contribution to qualitative research in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 1, 39\u201354.","journal-title":"Qualitative Research in Psychology"},{"key":"1246_CR38","volume-title":"Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods","author":"JA Smith","year":"2007","unstructured":"Smith, J. A. (2007). Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods. London: Sage."},{"key":"1246_CR39","volume-title":"Interpretative phenomenological analysis: Theory, method and research","author":"JA Smith","year":"2009","unstructured":"Smith, J. A., Flowers, P., & Larkin, M. (2009). Interpretative phenomenological analysis: Theory, method and research. London: Sage."},{"key":"1246_CR40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1817","DOI":"10.1016\/j.socscimed.2011.05.033","volume":"74","author":"KW Springer","year":"2012","unstructured":"Springer, K. W., Stellman, J. M., & Jordan-Young, R. M. (2012). Beyond a catalogue of differences: A theoretical frame and good practice guidelines for researching sex\/gender in human health. Social Science and Medicine, 74, 1817\u20131824.","journal-title":"Social Science and Medicine"},{"key":"1246_CR41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/0277-9536(93)90299-J","volume":"36","author":"M Stacey","year":"1993","unstructured":"Stacey, M., & Olesen, V. (1993). Introduction. Social Sciences and Medicine, 36, 1\u20135.","journal-title":"Social Sciences and Medicine"},{"key":"1246_CR42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"110","DOI":"10.2174\/1745017901208010110","volume":"8","author":"C Tasca","year":"2012","unstructured":"Tasca, C., Rapetti, M., Carta, M. G., & Fadda, B. (2012). Women and hysteria in the history of mental health. Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health, 8, 110\u2013119.","journal-title":"Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health"},{"key":"1246_CR43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"273","DOI":"10.1080\/00224490009552048","volume":"37","author":"L Tiefer","year":"2000","unstructured":"Tiefer, L. (2000). Sexology and the pharmaceutical industry: The threat of the co-optation. Journal of Sex Research, 37, 273\u2013283.","journal-title":"Journal of Sex Research"},{"key":"1246_CR44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"89","DOI":"10.1080\/00224490109552075","volume":"38","author":"L Tiefer","year":"2001","unstructured":"Tiefer, L. (2001). A new view of women\u2019s sexual problems: Why new? Why now? Journal of Sex Research, 38, 89\u201396.","journal-title":"Journal of Sex Research"},{"key":"1246_CR45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"101","DOI":"10.1007\/s00404-010-1513-2","volume":"283","author":"E Toeima","year":"2011","unstructured":"Toeima, E., & Nieto, J. (2011). Junior doctors\u2019 understanding of vulval pain\/vulvodynia: A qualitative survey. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 283, 101\u2013104.","journal-title":"Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics"},{"key":"1246_CR46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1035","DOI":"10.1016\/j.socscimed.2003.12.001","volume":"59","author":"A Werner","year":"2004","unstructured":"Werner, A., Isaksen, L. W., & Malterud, K. (2004). \u201cI am not the kind of woman who complains of everything\u201d: Illness stories on self and shame in women with chronic pain. Social Science and Medicine, 59, 1035\u20131045.","journal-title":"Social Science and Medicine"}],"container-title":["Archives of Sexual Behavior"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"http:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1007\/s10508-018-1246-z.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"http:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s10508-018-1246-z\/fulltext.html","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"http:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1007\/s10508-018-1246-z.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,5]],"date-time":"2025-07-05T21:25:52Z","timestamp":1751750752000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"http:\/\/link.springer.com\/10.1007\/s10508-018-1246-z"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2018,7,25]]},"references-count":48,"journal-issue":{"issue":"3","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2019,4]]}},"alternative-id":["1246"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10508-018-1246-z","relation":{},"ISSN":["0004-0002","1573-2800"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0004-0002","type":"print"},{"value":"1573-2800","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2018,7,25]]},"assertion":[{"value":"18 March 2016","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"22 May 2018","order":2,"name":"revised","label":"Revised","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"26 May 2018","order":3,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"25 July 2018","order":4,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Compliance with Ethical Standards"}},{"value":"The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Conflict of interest"}},{"value":"All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and\/or national research committee and with the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. This article does not contain any studies with animals performed by any of the authors.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethical Approval"}},{"value":"Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.","order":4,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Informed Consent"}}]}}