Research Interests

My main focus is in the area of human sexuality, particularly sexual function, dysfunction, and sexual health. My perspective is a clinical one, and my methods of investigation range from self-report studies (face-to-face, online), observational studies, to basic science methodologies including the following: quantitative sensory testing (to assess sensitivity in various areas of the body), blood flow imaging (primarily via laser Doppler imaging), and brain imaging (using a variety of techniques).

Selected Publications

Boyer SC, Pukall CF, Holden RR (in press). The relationship between female sexual arousal and response bias in women with and without provoked vestibulodynia. Journal of Sex Research.

Sutton KS, Pukall CF, Chamberlain SM (in press). Diffuse noxious inhibitory control function in women with provoked vestibulodynia. Clinical Journal of Pain.

Sutton KS, Boyer SB, Goldfinger C, Ezer P, Pukall CF (2012). To lube or not to lube: Experiences and perceptions of lubricant use in women with and without dyspareunia. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 9, 240-250.

Smith KB, Pukall CF (2011). A systematic review of relationship adjustment and sexual satisfaction among women with provoked vestibulodynia. Journal of Sex Research (Annual Review of Sex Research Special Issue), 48, 166-191.

Boyer SC, Dargie E, Pukall CF(2010). Vaginismus: A true disorder? Female Patient, 35, 36-41. (Patient handout: What you should know about pain during intercourse, p. 49)

Gentilcore-Saulnier E, McLean L, Goldfinger C, Pukall CF, Chamberlain S (2010). Pelvic floor muscle assessment outcomes in women with and without vestibulodynia and the impact of a physical therapy program. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7, 1003-1022.

van Lankveld JJDM, Granot M, Weijmar Schultz WCM, Binik YM, Wesselmann U, Pukall CF, Bohm-Starke N, Achtrari C (2010). Women’s sexual pain disorders. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7,615-631.

Waxman S, Pukall CF (2009). Laser Doppler imaging of genital blood flow: A direct measure of female sexual arousal. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 6, 2278-2285.

Damsted Petersen C, Boyer SB, Pukall CF(2009). Current perspectives in vulvodynia. Women’s Health, 5, 423-436.

Goldfinger C, Pukall CF, Gentilcore-Saulnier E, McLean L, Chamberlain S (2009). A prospective study of the effectiveness of pelvic floor physical therapy: Pain and psychosexual outcomes in provoked vestibulodynia. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 6, 1955-1968.

Sutton KS, Pukall CF, Chamberlain SM (2009). Pain ratings, sensory thresholds, and psychosocial functioning in women with provoked vestibulodynia. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 35,262-281.

Smith KB, Pukall CF(2009). An evidence-based review of yoga as a complementary intervention for patients with cancer. Psycho-Oncology, 18, 465-475.

Huber JD, Pukall CF, Boyer SC, Reissing ED, Chamberlain SM (2009). “Just relax”: Physicians’ experiences with women who are difficult or impossible to examine gynecologically. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 6, 791-799.

Sutton KS, Pukall CF, Chamberlain SM (2009). Pain, psychosocial, psychosexual, and psychophysical characteristics in women with primary versus secondary vestibulodynia. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 6, 205-214.