Study to Compare the Efficacy of Cognitive-behavioral Couple Therapy and Lidocaine for Provoked Vestibulodynia

CBCT includes the following: (1) re-conceptualize PVD as a multidimensional pain problem influenced by a variety of factors including thoughts, emotions, behaviors and couple interactions; (2) re-conceptualize PVD as a couple problem in which both members of the couple affect and are affected by the pain; (3) modify those factors associated with pain during intercourse with a view to increasing adaptive coping, for example, by increasing self-efficacy and decreasing catastrophizing, as well as decreasing pain intensity; (4) improve the quality of sexual functioning, reduce sexual distress and increase sexual satisfaction; (5) consolidate skills.

Nightly applications of a 5% lidocaine ointment on the vulvar vestibule, at the entry of the vagina (50mg/g, Xylocaïne®, AstraZeneca, tube of 35g) for 12 weeks, as described by Zolnoun et al. (2003). In addition, the cream will be applied to a cotton ball kept on the vestibule via the participant's underwear overnight to ensure a continued 7 to 8-hour contact between the anesthetic and the vestibule. A pamphlet with figures detailing how to apply the cream will be given to participants, in addition to a calibrated measurement tool to ensure that all participants apply the same quantity every night.