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This article focuses on how norms for gender and (hetero)sexuality intersect with vulvar pain, sexual practice and bodily sensations, in relation to a study where 21 women suffering from vulvar pain have been interviewed. Sexual practices or lack of them is part of what constitutes us as subjects. How we perform our sexuality is structured by how sex is constructed in society and culture. In a heteronormative culture vaginal intercourse is part of sexual practice, and women suffering from vulvar pain cannot fully participate in this expected sexual practice. This means that they actively must respond to sexual discourses on what is considered as “normal” sexuality. In order to avoid pain and get pleasure out of the sexual encounter they need to change and redefine their sexual practice, and during this process norms for gender and sexuality are challenged. The difficulty of participating in vaginal penetration is affecting these women differently depending on what kind of partner the woman has sex with, her own age and her experiences of sexual encounters. The results show that heteronormative scripts for sexual practice are strong and enduring even among heterosexual women who renegotiate their sexual practice. Although some of them have good sex without vaginal intercourse they still feel a lack in relation to their male partner. For women having sex with women the sexual script is less culturally choreographed and therefore it becomes easier to choose sexual practices that minimize the vulvar pain. Norms and strategies for sexual practice and gender performance vary among women having sex with women and women having sex with men. Det smärtsamma könet. Medicinska diskurser och kvinnors upplevelse av kropp, kön och sexualitet vid vestibulit. |
