Risk factors of genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder among Black women in the United States: A conceptual review.

Approximately one in five Black women report experiencing pain during their last sexual encounter (Townes et al., 2019). Although Black women experience dyspareunia more frequently and intensely than their White counterparts, they are less likely to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment (Carter et al., 2019). Despite advancements in genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (GPPPD) research, the continued omission of Black women and the failure to consider their lived experiences perpetuate the exclusion of Black women's pain experiences and exacerbate inequities in vulvar pain research. Using an intersectional and Black feminist approach, this socioecological conceptual article explores the sociohistorical, sociostructural, sociocultural, and interpersonal factors that uniquely place Black women at risk of experiencing vulvar pain, developing GPPPD, ignoring their GPPPD symptoms, and receiving misdiagnoses. Theoretical frameworks, methodologies, and interventions that should be implemented in future research with Black women experiencing GPPPD symptoms are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).