Publications by authors named "Symen K Spoelstra"

Introduction: Tobacco use disorder is a major public health issue, and novel smoking cessation approaches are urgently needed. Residential treatment programs have been suggested as a potentially effective treatment for tobacco use disorder. However, there is limited literature on residential treatment programs for patients who are exclusively dependent on nicotine.

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Introduction: The current approach to women with provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) comprises a multidimensional, multidisciplinary therapeutic protocol. As PVD is considered to be a chronic pain disorder, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can be used as an additional therapy for women with otherwise therapy-resistant PVD.

Aims: The aims of this study were to evaluate whether TENS has a beneficial effect on vulvar pain, sexual functioning, and sexually-related personal distress in women with therapy-resistant PVD and to assess the effect of TENS on the need for vestibulectomy.

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Introduction: The vaginal canal is an active and responsive canal. It has pressure variations along its length and shows reflex activity. At present, the prevailing idea is that the vaginal canal does not have a sphincter mechanism.

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Background: In the Netherlands, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is part of a national program equally accessible for all girls invited for vaccination. To assess possible inequalities in vaccine uptake, we investigated differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated girls with regard to various characteristics, including education and ethnicity, (both associated with non-attendance to the national cervical screening program), sexual behaviour and knowledge of HPV.

Methods: In 2010, 19,939 nationwide randomly-selected 16-17 year-old girls (2009 vaccination campaign) were invited to fill out an online questionnaire.

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It has been proposed that disgust evolved to protect humans from contamination. Through eliciting the overwhelming urge to withdraw from the disgusting stimuli, it would facilitate avoidance of contact with pathogens. The physical proximity implied in sexual intercourse provides ample opportunity for contamination and may thus set the stage for eliciting pathogen disgust.

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Anticonvulsant therapy has occasionally been recommended to treat vulvodynia. However, convincing evidence to support this therapeutic option is lacking. The goal of this study was to critically review studies published on the effectiveness of anticonvulsants for the treatment of vulvodynia.

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Background: Restless Genital Syndrome (RGS) refers to the uncommon experience of excessive and persistent sensations of genital and clitoral arousal, with either restless legs or symptoms of an overactive bladder, in the absence of conscious feelings of sexual desire. RGS is caused by a small fiber sensory neuropathy of the dorsal nerve of the clitoris. To date, there is no consensus on the treatment for RGS.

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Introduction: Although it is highly recommended to use a multifaceted approach to treat provoked vestibulodynia (PVD), the large majority of treatment studies on PVD used a one-dimensional approach.

Aim: To evaluate the long-term treatment outcome of a multifaceted approach to vulvar pain, sexual functioning, sexually related personal distress, and relational sexual satisfaction in women with PVD.

Methods: Retrospective questionnaire survey 3-7 years after treatment.

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