Vulvodynia

Vulvodynia
Vulvodynia
Specialty	Gynecology

Vulvodynia is a chronic pain condition that affects the vulvar area and occurs without an identifiable cause.^[1] Symptoms typically include a feeling of burning or irritation.^[2] It has been established by the ISSVD that for the diagnosis to be made symptoms must last at least three months.^[3]

The causes of vulvodynia are not fully understood, but there are many sub-types of vulvodynia with different causes, ^[4] including an excess of nerve fibers, hormonal imbalances, inflammation, and muscular dysfunction. Some factors influencing the diease may include genetics, immunology, and possibly diet.^[2] Diagnosis is by ruling out other possible causes.^[2] This may or may not include a biopsy of the area.^[2]

Treatment may involve a number of different measures; however, as vulvodynia has many sub-types, none is universally effective, and the evidence to support their effectiveness is often poor.^[2] Some of these measures include medications, pelvic floor physical therapy, surgery, and counselling.^[2] Vulvodynia is estimated to affect up to 10-28% of women.^[5]

^ Feldhaus-Dahir, M (2011). "The causes and prevalence of vestibulodynia: A vulvar pain disorder". Urologic Nursing. 31 (1): 51–4. doi:10.7257/1053-816X.2012.31.1.51. PMID 21542444.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Stockdale, C. K.; Lawson, H. W. (2014). "2013 Vulvodynia Guideline update". Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease. 18 (2): 93–100. doi:10.1097/LGT.0000000000000021. PMID 24633161. S2CID 410660.
^ Bornstein, J.; Goldstein, A. T.; Stockdale, C. K.; Bergeron, S.; Pukall, C.; Zolnoun, D.; Coady, D. (April 2016). "ISSVD, ISSWSH, and IPPS Consensus Terminology and Classification of Persistent Vulvar Pain and Vulvodynia". J Sex Med. 13 (4): 607–12. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.02.167. PMID 27045260.
^ Cite error: The named reference Female was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference Harlow was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[1] Feldhaus-Dahir, M (2011). "The causes and prevalence of vestibulodynia: A vulvar pain disorder". Urologic Nursing. 31 (1): 51–4. doi:10.7257/1053-816X.2012.31.1.51. PMID 21542444.

[Stock2013-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Stockdale, C. K.; Lawson, H. W. (2014). "2013 Vulvodynia Guideline update". Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease. 18 (2): 93–100. doi:10.1097/LGT.0000000000000021. PMID 24633161. S2CID 410660.

[3] Bornstein, J.; Goldstein, A. T.; Stockdale, C. K.; Bergeron, S.; Pukall, C.; Zolnoun, D.; Coady, D. (April 2016). "ISSVD, ISSWSH, and IPPS Consensus Terminology and Classification of Persistent Vulvar Pain and Vulvodynia". J Sex Med. 13 (4): 607–12. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.02.167. PMID 27045260.

[Female-4] Cite error: The named reference Female was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Harlow-5] Cite error: The named reference Harlow was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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