Caroline Pukall
Professor
Department of Psychology
B.A., McGill University, 1996
Ph.D., McGill University, 2003
Name Pronunciation Guide:
"KA·ruh·line Poo·KAWL"
Click below to hear pronunciation
Research Interests
My research focuses on sexual wellbeing. Research streams include genitopelvic dysesthesias, specifically vulvodynia and persistent genital arousal disorder, the development of patient-reported outcome measures in the areas of sexual health and wellbeing, treatment outcome, and sexual psychophysiology. I intentionally adopt an inclusive lens in my research, representing sexually and gender minoritized samples as well as other marginalized groups. Methods of investigation range from self-report (face-to-face, online, survey; quantitative and qualitative) to basic science methodologies including quantitative sensory testing, blood flow imaging, and brain/pelvic imaging, allowing for mixed-methods and multimethod study designs.
Selected Publications
Bohm-Starke N, Pukall CF, Österberg M, Ahlberg M, Jonsson AK, Tranæus S, Kempe S, Hellberg C (2024). Development of a core outcome set for treatment studies for provoked vestibulodynia. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 21, 556-565. https://doi.org/10.1093/jsxmed/qdae035
Mooney K, Mulroy M, Poirier É, Pukall CF (2024). Interpersonal experiences with persistent genital arousal: Connections between symptom disclosure, partner responses, and catastrophizing on relationship adjustment and symptom severity. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 50, 182-196. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2023.2269931
Levang S, Pukall CF (2024). An investigation of associations between pain catastrophizing and pain disability in a diverse sample of persons with endometriosis. The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, 46, 102340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogc.2023.102340
Mulroy M, Jackowich R, Pukall CF (2024). Examining the psychometric properties of the HBI-19 scale in a sample of women with persistent genital arousal symptoms. Journal of Sex Research, 61, 603-613. DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2023.2176423
Henkelman M, Jacobson JA, Pukall CF (2024). Measuring sexual function in gender minority individuals: A critical review. Current Sexual Health Reports, 16, 58-65. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-024-00382-5
Warren HJM, Ioachim G, Powers JM, Staud R, Pukall CF, Stroman PW (2024). Using structural equation modeling to investigate the neural basis of altered pain processing in fibromyalgia with functional magnetic resonance imaging. Medical Research Archives, 12, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v12i3.5206
Jackowich R, Poirier É, Pukall CF (2024). Predictors of psychosocial and functional outcomes in Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder/Genitopelvic Dysesthesia: Application of the Fear Avoidance Model. The Journal of Pain, 25, 238-249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2023.08.008
Mautz T, Mulroy M, Krapf J, Goldstein AT, Pukall CF (2023) Pleasure despite pain: Associations between experiences of vulvar pleasure, pain, and sexual function in patients with chronic vulvar pain conditions. Sexual Medicine, 11, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1093/sexmed/qfad047
Tassone D, Gauvin S, Flores Jr L, Pukall CF (2023). “It happens to everyone” vs. “You’re not a real man”: The relationship between intimate communication and men’s sexual difficulties. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 49, 869-885. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2023.2214544
Mulroy M, Pukall CF (2023). Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder/Genitopelvic Dysesthesia: Review of the current state of the treatment literature and future directions in treatment. Current Sexual Health Reports, 15, 231-243. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-023-00366-x
Ioachim G, Warren H, Powers J, Staud R, Pukall CF, Stroman P (2023). Distinct neural signaling characteristics between fibromyalgia and provoked vestibulodynia revealed by means of functional magnetic resonance imaging in the brainstem and spinal cord. Frontiers in Pain Research, 4: 1171160. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpain.2023.1171160
Levang S, Henkelman M, Neish R, Zukerman W, Terrell B, Jackman V, Coyle S, Brahmbhatt J, Pukall CF (2023). “Blue balls” and sexual coercion: A survey study of genitopelvic pain after sexual arousal without orgasm and its implications on sexual advances. Sexual Medicine, 11, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1093/sexmed/qfad016
Giovannetti O, Tomalty D, Gilmore S, Pattison A, Komisaruk B, Goldstein S, Hanna J, Goldstein I, Pukall CF, Adams MA (2023). The contribution of the cervix to sexual response: An online survey study. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 20(1), 49-56. doi: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdac010
McInnis MK, Pukall CF (2023). Sexual script flexibility after a prostate cancer diagnosis: Implications for sexual satisfaction. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 41(3), 267-276. DOI: 10.1080/07347332.2022.2102958
Yessick LR, Gauvin S, Salomons TV, Pukall CF (2023). Pain characteristics, sexual script flexibility, and penetration control cognitions in those experiencing anodyspareunia. Psychology & Sexuality, 14, 321-336. DOI: 10.1080/19419899.2022.2118069