Dyspareunia diagnostic criteria

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Jesus Rosario Hernandez, M.D. [2]

There are no established criteria for the diagnosis of dyspareunia. Based on Diagnosis Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013),dyspareunia and vaginismus were typically classified as distinct sexual pain disorders. This new classification unifies vaginismus and dyspareunia into one category called “genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder” due to the clinical difficulties in distinguishing these conditions. GPPPD is an umbrella term for two sexual pain disorders:dyspareunia and vaginismus, because in practice, it is difficult to differentiate these two from each other. Sometimes the pain may cause pelvic muscle spasms or involuntary pelvic muscle spasms in vaginismus to cause pain. However, possible medical causes of dyspareunia should be ruled out or treated before considering a diagnosis of Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder(GPPPD). If a medical cause is successfully treated and pain has not been resolved yet, a diagnosis of vulvodynia or genito-pelvic/penetration disorder is appropriate

There are no established criteria for the diagnosis of dyspareunia. Based on Diagnosis Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013),dyspareunia and vaginismus were typically classified as distinct sexual pain disorders. This new classification unifies vaginismus and dyspareunia into one category called “genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder” due to the clinical difficulties in distinguishing these conditions. In fact, GPPPD is an umbrella term for two sexual pain disorders:dyspareunia and vaginismus, because in practice, it is difficult to differentiate these two from each other. Sometimes the pain may cause pelvic muscle spasms or involuntary pelvic muscle spasms in vaginismus to cause pain. However, possible medical causes of dyspareunia should be ruled out or treated before considering a diagnosis of Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder(GPPPD). If a medical cause is successfully treated and pain has not been resolved yet, a diagnosis of vulvodynia or genito-pelvic/penetration disorder is appropriate

DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria for Genito-Pelvic Pain/ Penetration Disorder(GPPPD):

• A. Persistent or recurrent difficulties with one (or more) of the following:
  • Vaginal penetration during intercourse.
  • Marked vulvovaginal or pelvic pain during vaginal intercourse or penetration attempts.
  • Marked fear or anxiety about vulvovaginal or pelvic pain in anticipation of, during, or as a result of vaginal penetration.
  • Marked tensing or tightening of the pelvic floor muscles during attempted vaginal penetration.

AND

• B. The symptoms in Criterion A have persisted for a minimum duration of approximately six months.

AND

• C. The symptoms in Criterion A cause clinically significant distress in the individual.

AND

• D. The sexual dysfunction is not better explained by a nonsexual mental disorder or as a consequence of severe relationship distress (e.g., partner violence) or other significant stressors and is not attributable to the effects of a substance/medication or another medical condition.

Any one of the above criteria must be met for a diagnosis of GPPPD, with at least six months duration and the presence of clinically significant distress.^[1]

Specify whether:

Lifelong: The disturbance has been present since the individual became sexually active.

Acquired: The disturbance began after a period of relatively normal sexual function.

Specify current severity:

Mild: Evidence of mild distress over the symptoms in Criterion A.

Moderate: Evidence of moderate distress over the symptoms in Criterion A.

Severe: Evidence of severe or extreme distress over the symptoms in Criterion A.