Confessions. Structural mechanisms for regulation, interpretation and knowledge of vulvar pain

Abstract: Vulvar pain has been known of for thousands of years but the general knowledge of vulvar pain is limited and the condition receives less medical attention than other disorders. Previous research focus on physical and/or psychological causes, treatment strategies and problematizing female sexuality due to women’s inability to engage in sexual intercourse. This master thesis attempt to understand vulvar pain and the process of pain management by using the concept of confessions as a theoretical framework. Foucault (1990) and Plummer’s (1995) are mainly used for capture the individual and organizational dimensions of vulvar pain and pain management. Research material consists of nine interviews with three women and reviews of 41 letters. Pain is an individual and abstract feeling of hurt and reaching awareness of pain is necessary in order to seek treatment. Institutional pain management teach women understand their pain by applying confessional techniques, simultaneously; by gaining knowledge of pain women also access tools to control the social and emotional impact of pain even if the physical pain remains. Confessional techniques are necessary to reach knowledge of vulvar pain. Pain management is performed institutionally as well as individually. Institutional pain management teach women techniques to organize experiences of pain in order to reach control. The institutional facilities offer social space for exploring and experiencing pain while individual pain management focus on controlling and relocating pain.