Caroline Pukall
Professor
Department of Psychology
B.A., McGill University, 1996
Ph.D., McGill University, 2003
Name Pronunciation Guide:
"KA路ruh路line Poo路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, 脰sterberg M, Ahlberg M, Jonsson AK, Tran忙us 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.
Mooney K, Mulroy M, Poirier 脡, 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.
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.
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.
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.
Jackowich R, Poirier 脡, 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.
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.
Tassone D, Gauvin S, Flores Jr L, Pukall CF (2023). 鈥淚t happens to everyone鈥 vs. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e not a real man鈥: The relationship between intimate communication and men鈥檚 sexual difficulties. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 49, 869-885.
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.
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:
Levang S, Henkelman M, Neish R, Zukerman W, Terrell B, Jackman V, Coyle S, Brahmbhatt J, Pukall CF (2023). 鈥淏lue balls鈥 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.
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