Somatocognitive Therapy in Treatment of Provoked (Localized) Vestibulodynia - Randomized Clinical Trial (ProLoVe Study)

"The main intervention areas include:~1. education about the PVD, healthy vulvo-vaginal and sexual behaviors, nature of chronic pain and factors influencing pain intensity~2. bodily exercises and techniques increasing body awareness, ability to relax and control muscle tension and respiration pattern in different situations~3. techniques to cope with emotions and thoughts related to bodily experiences and to PVD~4. structured homework assignments promoting application of the learned techniques in daily situations and gradual exposure of the patient to activities associated with pain.~Participants will be offered maximally 15 treatment sessions. No minimal number of sessions is set. Treatment will be conducted by female physiotherapists experienced in treating long-standing pain conditions."

The participants will follow the current treatment advice as recommended by the Vulva Clinic at OUH, a tertiary health care center specialized in treatment of vulvar disorders. Advice include guidance about the management of PVD as a condition, use of medication, physiotherapy, sexologist and psychological counseling, usage of internet resources (vulva.no) and others. Participants will be free to pursue treatment options of their choice. The type of treatment, number of treatments and medication usage will be monitored by bi-weekly electronic forms during the whole study period.