Sexual penetration cognitions in women with genito-pelvic pain and penetration disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Cognition and beliefs of women about vaginal penetration can be important in understanding the basic mechanisms of sexual disorders and their treatment process, especially genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (GPPPD). Thus, as a systematic review and meta-analysis, the present study aimed to compare the beliefs and cognitions related to vaginal penetration in women with and without GPPPD. Methods In this systematic review and meta-analysis study, articles published in the international databases of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, ProQuest and Cochrane Library were searched using keywords related to vaginal penetration cognition. Inclusion criterion was all case-control studies which used the standard Vaginal Penetration Cognition Questionnaire (VPCQ). There were no language or time limitations. Egger's test was used to investigate the possibility of bias in publishing the results. Data analysis was performed using STATA software version 12 (StataCorp LP, College Station, TX). Results In this study, five articles were analyzed after assessing their quality by using Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The difference between the mean scores of Control cognition, catastrophic and pain cognitions, self-image cognitions, positive cognitions and genital incompatibility cognitions in the two groups with and without GPPPD was 0.450, 2.312, 1.528, -1.343 and 1.881, respectively, and the two groups were significantly different (p < 0.001). Conclusion According to the results of the present study, women with GPPPD had higher levels of negative cognition about catastrophic and pain cognition, genital incompatibility, self-image and perceived control during the vaginal penetration than women without GPPPD. They had also lower levels of positive cognition and beliefs associated with vaginal penetration. Therefore, the cognitive dimensions of vaginal penetration should be considered in the treatment and sexual counseling of women with GPPPD, and some plans have to be designed for interventional measures in this regard.