Miss Athina Zoi Lountzi

I am a PhD student in Psychology.

My work focuses on creating a more supportive, person-centred approach to diagnosing and treating people with chronic vulvar pain (CVP), with the goal of developing a care pathway that clinicians can use to better support their patients.

I completed my MSc in Health Psychology, during which I worked on a project exploring help-seeking and the role of partners of women with vulvodynia. I then received funding from BSSVD and Wellbeing of Women to carry out a project identifying research priorities for vulvodynia. My PhD builds on this work, combining clinical and patient perspectives to improve care and outcomes for people with CVP.

I’m particularly interested in women’s health, chronic pain, and patient-centred care, and I hope my research can make a real difference to how people experience treatment and support.

Women's Health, Chronic Pain, Chronic Illness, Health Psychology, Gynaecological care