RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Does a Virtual Program for Pelvic Pain Improve Pain and Sexual Outcomes in Individuals With Provoked Vestibulodynia?

This study explores if a 3-month online program can help adult women experiencing chronic genital pain, called provoked vestibulodynia. The main goal is to see if the program reduces pain and improves sexual wellbeing. Researchers also want to know if it helps with worries about pain and how pain affects daily life. They'll ask participants how much they improved and how satisfied they are with the program. Participants will either start the program immediately or go on a waiting list. Those who start straight away will work through the program at their own speed, learning about pain, doing pelvic health exercises, and practicing mindfulness. They'll answer questions about their experiences before, during, and after the program.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Queen's University

Enrolment target

250

Start

17 Dec 2025

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2028

Vulvodynia (Chronic Vulvar Pain)Vulvar Vestibulitis Vestibulodynia Provoked Vestibulodynia Provoked Localized Vulvodynia

What is this study about?

This study is designed for women who experience ongoing pain in their genital area, specifically a condition called 'provoked vestibulodynia.' This means they have pain when the area is touched or pressured. Living with this type of chronic pain can be very challenging and can impact many aspects of life, including sexual health and overall emotional wellbeing. The researchers want to find out if a new online program, which you can do from home, can make a positive difference.

The online program lasts for three months and aims to help participants understand their pain better, learn exercises to ease discomfort, and develop ways to be more mindful and less anxious about their pain. The research team will carefully compare participants who get access to this program right away with those who are placed on a waiting list. This comparison helps them understand if the program itself is genuinely effective in improving pain and sexual health.

Beyond simply reducing pain, the study also looks at how the program might help with 'pain anxiety' (worrying about pain) and 'pain interference' (how much pain gets in the way of daily activities). They will also gather feedback on how much participants feel they've improved and how satisfied they are with the program, which is important for developing helpful new treatments in the future.

Key takeaways

An online program for chronic pelvic pain (provoked vestibulodynia).
Aims to reduce pain and improve sexual wellbeing.
Compares those who start the program right away with those who wait.
Involves learning about pain, exercises, and mindfulness.
Requires completing questionnaires over a 6-month period.
Participation is voluntary and you can leave at any time.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you need to be an adult woman, aged 18 or older. You must have been diagnosed by a doctor with 'provoked vestibulodynia,' which means you've had persistent pain in your genital area when touched for at least three months. Your pain level should be at least a 3 out of 10, where 0 is no pain and 10 is extreme pain. You also need to live in either Canada or the United States and be able to speak and understand English well.

There are some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join the study. These include if you are pregnant, suspect you might be pregnant, are breastfeeding, or have given birth within the last year. Also, if you have other ongoing physical or mental health conditions that significantly affect your daily life and activities, this study might not be suitable for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you an adult woman, 18 years or older?
Has a doctor told you that you have 'provoked vestibulodynia'?
Have you had this pain for at least three months?
Is your pain usually at least a 3 out of 10 when provoked?
Do you live in Canada or the United States?
Can you speak and understand English well?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you will either start the online program right away or be placed on a waiting list to receive it later. If you start immediately, the program will last for three months and you can complete the online modules at your own speed. The program involves learning about how pain works, doing pelvic health exercises, and practicing mindfulness techniques.

During your participation, you will be asked to complete several sets of questionnaires. These surveys will ask about your pain experiences, your sexual wellbeing, how you cope with pain, and your satisfaction with the program. You'll answer these questions before the program starts, immediately after the three-month program ends, and then again three months after the program has finished. You will also share information about your progress through the program and your thoughts on your experience while participating.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer you the potential benefit of learning new ways to manage your chronic pelvic pain and improve your sexual wellbeing through the online program. However, as with any study, there's no guarantee that you will personally benefit. Potential risks are generally low for an online program, but you might experience some discomfort or emotional upset when answering personal questions about your pain or sexual health, or when engaging with exercise modules. You are always free to stop participating in the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Sexual Health Research Laboratory
Verified postcode
Kingston, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'provoked vestibulodynia'?

It's a type of chronic pain in the genital area that happens when the area is touched or pressured, making activities like sex or wearing certain clothes painful.

Is this an in-person study?

No, this is an online program that you can access virtually from your home.

Will I get immediate help if I join?

Some participants will start the program right away, while others will be on a waiting list and receive it later. This helps researchers compare the effects.

What if the program doesn't work for me?

There's no guarantee of personal benefit, but the program offers new strategies for pain management. You can withdraw from the study at any time.

How long will the study take for me?

The online program itself lasts three months, and you'll complete questionnaires over a total of about six months (before, right after, and three months after).

How to find out more

Shannon Research Coordinator, MA

qshrl@queensu.ca 613 533 3276 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.