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Psychosomatic Factors in Genital Pain: Insights from Urology and Sexual Health Research Report

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Introduction

The problem of psychosomatic disorders is essential for the development of medicine because the specifics of the psyche can cause pain. This problem can manifest as a result of a person’s emotional experience and depend on their psychological state (Castelnuovo & Schreurs, 2019; Reis et al., 2019). It is essential to consider this direction’s high level of development through the lens of biopsychology, accompanied by a substantial body of relevant literature on the topic (Van Ryckeghem et al., 2019). In particular, the article by Conversano (2019) provides information on the psychological aspects of diseases in patients. A predisposing factor is also considered when determining whether a condition is a biological or psychological aspect of pain (Cohen et al., 2021).

Analysis

The reviewed sources claim that cognitive factors can play a significant role in manifesting sexual dysfunctions and genital pain (Reisman & Nobre, 2021). For example, Tavares et al. (2020) indicate that a significant proportion of men experience genital pain because thoughts about a failed process prevail over healthy emotions. In addition to that, several studies are being conducted to identify other psychological factors, including psychoemotional distress and depression, of pelvic and genital pain (Padoa et al., 2021; Piontek et al., 2019). Research does not focus exclusively on psychosomatic causes but considers the social and sexual root causes of dysfunction and pain (Oaklander et al., 2020; Schover, 2019). Furthermore, depression or stress can affect the level of pain (Bruno et al., 2020; Van Dis et al., 2020).

Chronic overstrain and internal psychological tension have become common phenomena in human life. A person feels constant pressure from social and economic institutions (Zerbe, 2019). In particular, scientists mention the pain-fatigue-depression symptom, which can cause pain, including genital pain, and even lead to cancer (Baden et al., 2020). Pain of this kind, as a rule, does not lead to the occurrence of specific diseases, but it can persist for a considerable time if its underlying cause is not addressed (Sadowsky et al., 2019). Articles on the relationship between pain and emotions state that if a person does not address the real cause of genital pain, it can develop into a disease (Adamian et al., 2020; Franco et al., 2020).

The articles considered for research also link the nature of this type of pain with urology and sexual dysfunctions without excluding a psychosomatic component (Berg et al., 2021; Probst et al., 2019). Some publications consider using holistic medicine to treat genital pain if it is not in the chronic stage (Lumley & Schubiner, 2019; Ying et al., 2019). It is worth noting that some publications point to the opposite cause of genital pain. For example, genital pain in men can occur during a strong erection (Dunkley et al., 2020; Nimbi et al., 2020b). In this context, the attitude towards health and illness becomes crucial, and its cognitive and emotional components play a significant role in maintaining health (Wagner et al., 2022).

Conclusion

In summary, the considered studies on personality psychosomatics show that the nature of genital pain can be linked to a complex quality of personality with an emphasis on psychogenic factors of disorders and their pathogenesis (Kober et al., 2019; Vlaeyen & Crombez, 2020). The psychosomatic nature of pain is actively researched at the current stage of medicine and psychology (Scott, 2021). Numerous studies, surveys, and publications confirm this trend (Nimbi et al., 2020a; Urits et al., 2020). A general review of the scientific literature on this topic revealed a sufficient number of publications on psychosomatics; however, the vast majority of articles focused on research conducted among women.

References

Adamian, L., Urits, I., Orhurhu, V., Hoyt, D., Driessen, R., Freeman, J. A., Kaye, A. D., Kaye, R. J., Garcia, A. J., Cornett, E. M., & Viswanath, O. (2020). A comprehensive review of the diagnosis, treatment, and management of urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Current Pain and Headache Reports, 24(6), 1-11.

Baden, M., Lu, L., Drummond, F. J., Gavin, A., & Sharp, L. (2020). Pain, fatigue, and depression symptom cluster in survivors of prostate cancer. Supportive Care in Cancer, 28(10), 4813-4824.

Berg, E., Houska, P., Nesheim, N., Schuppe, H. C., Pilatz, A., Fijak, M., Manthley, M., Steger, K., Wagenlehner, F., & Schagdarsurengin, U. (2021). Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome leads to impaired semen parameters, increased sperm DNA fragmentation, and unfavorable changes of sperm protamine mRNA ratio. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(15), 7854.

Bruno, A., Celebre, L., Mento, C., Rizzo, A., Silvestri, M. C., De Stefano, R., Zoccalli, R. A., & Muscatello, M. R. A. (2020). When fathers begin to falter: A comprehensive review on paternal perinatal depression. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(4), 1139.

Castelnuovo, G., & Schreurs, K. M. (2019). Pain management in clinical and health psychology. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1295.

Cohen, S. P., Vase, L., & Hooten, W. M. (2021). Chronic pain: An update on burden, best practices, and new advances. The Lancet, 397(10289), 2082-2097.

Conversano, C. (2019). Common psychological factors in chronic diseases. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 2727.

Dunkley, C. R., Henshaw, C. D., Henshaw, S. K., & Brotto, L. A. (2020). Physical pain as pleasure: A theoretical perspective. The Journal of Sex Research, 57(4), 421-437.

Franco, J. V., Turk, T., Jung, J. H., Xiao, Y. T., Iakhno, S., Tirapegui, F. I., Garrote, V., & Vietto, V. (2020). Pharmacological interventions for treating chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: A Cochrane systematic review. BJU International, 125(4), 490-496.

Kober, H., Buhle, J., Weber, J., Ochsner, K. N., & Wager, T. D. (2019). Let it be: Mindful acceptance down-regulates pain and negative emotion. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 14(11), 1147-1158.

Lumley, M. A., & Schubiner, H. (2019). Emotional awareness and expression therapy for chronic pain: Rationale, principles and techniques, evidence, and critical review. Current Rheumatology Reports, 21(7), 1-8.

Nimbi, F. M., Rossi, V., Tripodi, F., Luria, M., Flinchum, M., Tambelli, R., & Simonelli, C. (2020a). Genital pain and sexual functioning: Effects on sexual experience, psychological health, and quality of life. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 17(4), 771-783.

Nimbi, F. M., Tripodi, F., Rossi, R., Navarro-Cremades, F., & Simonelli, C. (2020b). Male sexual desire: An overview of biological, psychological, sexual, relational, and cultural factors influencing desire. Sexual Medicine Reviews, 8(1), 59-91.

Oaklander, A. L., Sharma, S., Kessler, K., & Price, B. H. (2020). Persistent genital arousal disorder: A special sense neuropathy. Pain Reports, 5(1).

Padoa, A., McLean, L., Morin, M., & Vandyken, C. (2021). “The overactive pelvic floor (OPF) and sexual dysfunction” part 1: Pathophysiology of OPF and its impact on the sexual response. Sexual Medicine Reviews, 9(1), 64-75.

Piontek, K., Ketels, G., Albrecht, R., Schnurr, U., Dybowski, C., Brünahl, C. A., Riegel, B., & Löwe, B. (2019). Somatic and psychosocial determinants of symptom severity and quality of life in male and female patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 120, 1-7.

Probst, T., Jank, R., Dreyer, N., Seel, S., Wagner, R., Hanshans, K., Reyersbach, R., Mühlberger, A., Lahmann, C., & Pieh, C. (2019). Early changes in pain acceptance predict pain outcomes in interdisciplinary treatment for chronic pain. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 8(9), 1373.

Reis, F., Guimarães, F., Nogueira, L. C., Meziat-Filho, N., Sanchez, T. A., & Wideman, T. (2019). Association between pain drawing and psychological factors in musculoskeletal chronic pain: A systematic review. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 35(6), 533-542.

Reisman, Y., & Nobre, P. J. (2021). Male sexual dysfunctions. In M. Lew-Starowicz, A. Giraldi, & Krüger, T. H. C. (Eds.), Psychiatry and sexual medicine (pp. 135-160). Springer.

Sadowsky, L. M., Socik, A., Burnes, A., & Rhodes, A. R. (2019). Genital angiokeratomas in adult men and women: Prevalence and predisposing factors. Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, 23(5), 513-518.

Schover, L. R. (2019). Sexual quality of life in men and women after cancer. Climacteric, 22(6), 553-557.

Scott, W. (2021). Psychology and pain: Advances in research and practice. British Journal of Pain, 15(2), 118-119.

Tavares, I. M., Moura, C. V., & Nobre, P. J. (2020). The role of cognitive processing factors in sexual function and dysfunction in women and men: A systematic review. Sexual Medicine Reviews, 8(3), 403-430.

Urits, I., Callan, J., Moore, W. C., Fuller, M. C., Renschler, J. S., Fisher, P., Jung, J. W., Hasoon, J., Eskander, J., Kaye, A. D., & Viswanath, O. (2020). Cognitive behavioral therapy for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain. Best Practice & Research Clinical Anaesthesiology, 34(3), 409-426.

Van Dis, E. A., Van Veen, S. C., Hagenaars, M. A., Batelaan, N. M., Bockting, C. L., Van Den Heuvel, R. M., Cuijpers, P., & Engelhard, I. M. (2020). Long-term outcomes of cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety-related disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry, 77(3), 265-273.

Van Ryckeghem, D. M., Noel, M., Sharpe, L., Pincus, T., & Van Damme, S. (2019). Cognitive biases in pain: An integrated functional–contextual framework. Pain, 160(7), 1489-1493.

Vlaeyen, J. W., & Crombez, G. (2020). Behavioral conceptualization and treatment of chronic pain. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 16, 187-212.

Wagner, B., Steiner, M., Huber, D. F. X., & Crevenna, R. (2022). The effect of biofeedback interventions on pain, overall symptoms, quality of life, and physiological parameters in patients with pelvic pain. Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift, 134(1), 11-48.

Ying, J., Zhou, M. J., Chen, H. Y., Chen, L., Zhang, W., Ji, J., Yu, C., & Zhang, Z. J. (2019). Effect of essential oil on patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 25(2), 91-95.

Zerbe, K. J. (2019). The secret life of secrets: Deleterious psychosomatic effects on patient and analyst. Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 67(1), 185-214.

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IvyPanda. (2026) 'Psychosomatic Factors in Genital Pain: Insights from Urology and Sexual Health Research'. 7 March.

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IvyPanda. 2026. "Psychosomatic Factors in Genital Pain: Insights from Urology and Sexual Health Research." March 7, 2026. https://ivypanda.com/essays/psychosomatic-factors-in-genital-pain-insights-from-urology-and-sexual-health-research/.

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