It isn’t all talk: Couple therapy results in more improvements for women who have pain during sex relative to a common medical treatment

By Katrina Bouchard;
This post is a summary of a recently published article from the Couples and Sexual Health Lab with our close collaborators at Université de Montréal:
Bergeron, S., Vaillancourt-Morel, M.-P., Corsini-Munt, S., Steben, M., Delisle, I., Mayrand, M.-H., & Rosen, N. O. (2021). Cognitive-behavioral couple therapy versus lidocaine for provoked vestibulodynia: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 89, 316-326. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000631
Use of Couple Therapy to Reduce Pain During Intercourse
Dr. Rosen’s recent article discussing the effectiveness of lidocaine and couple’s cognitive behavioral therapy to reduce vaginal pain during intercourse. Read the full article here
Not Always in the Mood: The New Science on Men, Sex, and Relationships

“In “Not Always in the Mood: The New Science on Men, Sex, and Relationships” sex researcher and relationship therapist Sarah Hunter Murray presents a lively, timely, and critical exploration of the newest, most surprising science on men and sex, shattering myths about men’s sexuality and helping today’s couples connect more deeply and authentically than ever before”
Sexual Talk in Long-Term Relationships: What’s Being Left Under the Covers?

Believe it or not, the key to keeping sex exciting and satisfying in long term relationships may be communication! We know that sexual communication (e.g., couples having a conversation about their sexual preferences at a time when they are not engaging in sexual activity) is beneficial for the relationship and sexual well-being of couples [1]. But what about the potential benefits of communication during sex? Sexual talk refers to the communication that occurs between partners exclusively during sexual activity and that is about the sexual interaction itself (i.e., expressing to one’s partner the pleasure they feel while engaging in a sexual act) [2]. Yet, sexual talk has largely been kept under the covers一until now!
Tried and True: Exploring the Best Vulvodynia Treatment Options

By Brenna Bagnell; This blog is a summary of our published article: Rosen, N. O., Dawson, S., Brooks, M., & Kellogg-Spadt, S. (2019). Treatment of vulvodynia: Pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. Drugs, 79, 483-493. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-019-01085-1
It’s not us, it’s parenthood: Comparing sexual well-being in new parents with community couples

By Grace Schwenck; This blog is a summary of our published article: Schwenck, G. C., Dawson, S. J., Muise, A., & Rosen, N. O. (2020). A comparison of the sexual well-being of new parents with community couples. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 17(11), 2156-2167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.08.011
Covid, Sex, and Dating
Dr. Rosen was interviewed by CBC regarding how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected sex and dating.
Feeling down, but not to get down: Is Postpartum Depression linked with New Parents’ Sexual Function and Distress?

By Priyam Joshi
This blog is a summary of our published article: Dawson, S. J., Leonhardt, N. D., Impett, E. A., & Rosen, N. O. (2021). Associations Between Postpartum Depressive Symptoms and Couples’ Sexual Function and Sexual Distress Trajectories Across the Transition to Parenthood. Annals of Behavioral Medicine.
Psychology Month Profile
Dr. Rosen was profiled by the Canadian Psychological Association focusing on her recent research and sex trends in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full article here
Sex and Covid
Dr. Rosen was interviewed by CBC Mainstreet Halifax regarding sex and the COVID-19