Hypnotherapy as a treatment for vulvar vestibulitis syndrome: a case report

The effectiveness of hypnotherapy in alleviating pain has been demonstrated with several disorders and diseases involving acute and chronic pain. Although hypnosis has been suggested as treatment for dyspareunia resulting from vulvar vestibulitis syndrome (VVS), empirical data and case reports showing its effectiveness have been lacking. This article presents a case report on the use of hypnotherapy to treat a 26-year-old woman suffering from VVS. Psychotherapy consisted of twelve sessions, of which eight were devoted to hypnosis. The goal of hypnosis was to help the client decrease her anticipatory anxiety, create a positive association of pleasure with intercourse, and create a sense of control over her pain. Despite having persistent pain during intercourse for 3 years with several partners, she experienced no more pain following treatment, and remained pain free at a 12-month follow up.