Vulvodynia. Definition, diagnosis and treatment

Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica

Volumn 87, Issue 9, 2008, Pages 893-901

  Petersen, Christina Damsted ^a   Lundvall, Lene ^a   Kristensen, Ellids ^a,b   Giraldi, Annamaria ^a  

^a Rigshospitalet   (Denmark)

^b UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN   (Denmark)

Author keywords

Clinical features; Etiology; Genital pain; Terminology; Treatment; Vestibulodynia; Vulvodynia

Indexed keywords

AMITRIPTYLINE; ANTIDEPRESSANT AGENT; BOTULINUM TOXIN A; CAPSAICIN; DESIPRAMINE; ESTROGEN; GABAPENTIN; INTERLEUKIN 1ALPHA; LIDOCAINE; METHYLPREDNISOLONE ACETATE; MONOAMINE OXIDASE INHIBITOR; PAROXETINE; PREGABALIN; TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR ALPHA; VENLAFAXINE;

ACUPUNCTURE; ANALGESIA; ANORGASMIA; ANXIETY DISORDER; APPLICATION SITE BURNING; BEDTIME DOSAGE; BURNING SENSATION; CLINICAL FEATURE; CLINICAL TRIAL; COGNITIVE THERAPY; CONSTIPATION; DATA BASE; DEPRESSION; DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS; DISEASE ASSOCIATION; DIZZINESS; DRUG CONTRAINDICATION; DRUG DOSAGE FORM COMPARISON; DRUG DOSE INCREASE; DRY EYE; DYSPAREUNIA; FATIGUE; FEMALE; FLU LIKE SYNDROME; GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOM; GYNECOLOGIC SURGERY; HEADACHE; HEMATOMA; HISTOPATHOLOGY; HUMAN; HYPNOSIS; INJECTION SITE BURNING; INJECTION SITE PAIN; LOW LEVEL LASER THERAPY; MENTAL DISEASE; MENTAL STRESS; MUCOSA INFLAMMATION; NAUSEA; NOMENCLATURE; PATHOPHYSIOLOGY; PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLE TRAINING; PERINEOPLASTY; PERSONAL HYGIENE; PHYSIOTHERAPY; POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATION; PRACTICE GUIDELINE; PRIORITY JOURNAL; REVIEW; SIDE EFFECT; TREATMENT OUTCOME; TREATMENT PLANNING; TREATMENT RESPONSE; VAGINISM; VERRUCA VULGARIS; VESTIBULECTOMY; VESTIBULODYNIA; VULVA; VULVA DISEASE; VULVAR VESTIBULITIS; VULVODYNIA; WART VIRUS; WEIGHT GAIN; WOUND INFECTION; XEROSTOMIA;

ADOLESCENT; ADULT; AGED; AGED, 80 AND OVER; FEMALE; HUMANS; MIDDLE AGED; PELVIC PAIN; VULVAR DISEASES;

EID: 51649118363     PISSN: 00016349     EISSN: 16000412     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/00016340802323321     Document Type: Review

References (57)

1. Thomas TG. Practical treatise on the diseases of Women. Philadelphia, PA: Henry C Lea's Son & Co; 1880.
2. Danielsson I, Sjoberg I, Stenlund H, Wikman M. Prevalence and incidence of prolonged and severe dyspareunia in women: results from a population study. Scand J Public Health. 2003;31(2):113-8.
3. Goetsch MF. Vulvar vestibulitis: prevalence and historic features in a general gynecologic practice population. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 164(6 Pt. 1991;1):1609-14.
4. Harlow BL, Stewart EG. A population-based assessment of chronic unexplained vulvar pain: have we underestimated the prevalence of vulvodynia? J Am Med Womens Assoc. 2003;58(2):82-8.
5. Masheb RM, Lozano C, Richman S, Minkin MJ, Kerns RD. On the reliability and validity of physician ratings for vulvodynia and the discriminant validity of its subtypes. Pain Med. 2004;5(4):349-58.
6. Reed BD, Haefner HK, Harlow SD, Gorenflo DW, Sen A. Reliability and validity of self-reported symptoms for predicting vulvodynia. Obstet Gynecol. 2006;108(4):906-13.
7. Canadian Task Force on the Periodic Health Examination A. The periodic health examination. Canadian Task Force on the Periodic Health Examination. Can Med Assoc J. 1979;121:1193-245.
8. Moyal-Barracco M, Lynch PJ. ISSVD terminology and classification of vulvodynia: a historical perspective. J Reprod Med ;49. 2003;2004(10):772-7.
9. Friedrich EG, Jr. Vulvar vestibulitis syndrome. J Reprod Med. 1987;32(2):110-4.
10. Nylander Lindqvist E, Hofer E-O OJ. Is vulvar vestibulitis an inflammatory condition? A comparison of histological findings in affected and healthy women. Acta Derm venerol. 1997;77:319-22.
11. Westrom LV, Willen R. Vestibular nerve fiber proliferation in vulvar vestibulitis syndrome. Obstet Gynecol. 1998;91(4):572-6.
12. Bohm-Starke N, Hilliges M, Falconer C, Rylander E. Increased intraepithelial innervation in women with vulvar vestibulitis syndrome. Gynecol Obstet Invest. 1998;46(4):256-60.
13. Bornstein J, Goldschmid N, Sabo E. Hyperinnervation and mast cell activation may be used as histopathologic diagnostic criteria for vulvar vestibulitis. Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2004;58(3):171-8.
14. Bornstein J, Cohen Y, Zarfati D, Sela S, Ophir E. Involvement of heparanase in the pathogenesis of localized vulvodynia. Int J Gynecol Pathol. 2008;27(1):136-41.
15. Halperin R, Zehavi S, Vaknin Z, Ben Ami I, Pansky M, Schneider D. The major histopathologic characteristics in the vulvar vestibulitis syndrome. Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2005;59(2):75-9.
16. Foster DC, Piekarz KH, Murant TI, LaPoint R, Haidaris CG, Phipps RP. Enhanced synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines by vulvar vestibular fibroblasts: implications for vulvar vestibulitis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2007;196(4):346-8.
17. Jeremias J, Ledger WJ, Witkin SS. Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphism in women with vulvar vestibulitis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2000;182(2):283-5.
18. Zolnoun D, Hartmann K, Lamvu G, As-Sanie S, Maixner W, Steege J. A conceptual model for the pathophysiology of vulvar vestibulitis syndrome. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2006;61(6):395-401.
19. Giesecke J, Reed BD, Haefner HK, Giesecke T, Clauw DJ, Gracely RH. Quantitative sensory testing in vulvodynia patients and increased peripheral pressure pain sensitivity. Obstet Gynecol. 2004;104(1):126-33.
20. Pukall CF, Baron M, Amsel R, Khalife S, Binik YM. Tender point examination in women with vulvar vestibulitis syndrome. Clin J Pain. 2006;22(7):601-9.
21. Pyka RE, Wilkinson EJ, Friedrich EG, Jr, Croker BP. The histopathology of vulvar vestibulitis syndrome. Int J Gynecol Pathol. 1988;7(3):249-57.
22. Orlandi A, Francesconi A, Angeloni C, Palmieri G, Fulvia G, Ciotti M, et al. Prevalence and genotyping of human papillomavirus infection in women with vulvodynia. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2007;86(8):1003-10.
23. Bergeron C, Moyal-Barracco M, Pelisse M, Lewin P. Vulvar vestibulitis. Lack of evidence for a human papillomavirus etiology. J Reprod Med. 1994;39(12):936-8.
24. Gaunt G, Good AE, McGovern RM, Stanhope CR, Gostout BS. Human papillomavirus in vulvar vestibulitis syndrome. J Reprod Med. 2007;52(6):485-9.
25. Reissing ED, Brown C, Lord MJ, Binik YM, Khalife S. Pelvic floor muscle functioning in women with vulvar vestibulitis syndrome. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 2005;26(2):107-13.
26. Ter Kuile MM, van Lankveld JJ, Vlieland CV, Willekes C, Weijenborg PT. Vulvar vestibulitis syndrome: an important factor in the evaluation of lifelong vaginismus? J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 2005;26(4):245-9.
27. Jadresic D, Barton S, Neill S, Staughton R, Marwood R. Psychiatric morbidity in women attending a clinic for vulval problems - is there a higher rate in vulvodynia? Int J STD AIDS. 1993;4(4):237-9.
28. Danielsson I, Sjoberg I, Wikman M. Vulvar vestibulitis: medical, psychosexual and psychosocial aspects, a case-control study. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2000;79(10):872-8.
29. Nylanderlundqvist E, Bergdahl J. Vulvar vestibulitis: evidence of depression and state anxiety in patients and partners. Acta Derm Venereol. 2003;83(5):369-73.
30. Aikens JE, Reed BD, Gorenflo DW, Haefner HK. Depressive symptoms among women with vulvar dysesthesia. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2003;189(2):462-6.
31. Jantos M. Vulvodynia. A psychophysiological profile based on electromyographic assessment. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2008;33(1):29-38.
32. Reed BD, Gorenflo DW, Haefner HK. Generalized vulvar dysesthesia vs. vestibulodynia. Are they distinct diagnoses? J Reprod Med. 2003;48(11):858-64.
33. Reed BD, Haefner HK, Cantor L. Vulvar dysesthesia (vulvodynia). A follow-up study. J Reprod Med. 2003;48(6):409-16.
34. Haefner HK, Collins ME, Davis GD, Edwards L, Foster DC, Hartmann ED, et al. The vulvodynia guideline. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2005;9(1):40-51.
35. Zolnoun DA, Hartmann KE, Steege JF. Overnight 5% lidocaine ointment for treatment of vulvar vestibulitis. Obstet Gynecol. 2003;102(1):84-7.
36. Danielsson I, Torstensson T, Brodda-Jansen G, Bohm-Starke N. EMG biofeedback versus topical lidocaine gel: a randomized study for the treatment of women with vulvar vestibulitis. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2006;85(11):1360-7.
37. Murina F, Tassan P, Roberti P, Bianco V. Treatment of vulvar vestibulitis with submucous infiltrations of methylprednisolone and lidocaine. An alternative approach. J Reprod Med. 2001;46(8):713-6.
38. Eva LJ, MacLean AB, Reid WM, Rolfe KJ, Perrett CW. Estrogen receptor expression in vulvar vestibulitis syndrome. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2003;189(2):458-61.
39. Bohm-Starke N, Johannesson U, Hilliges M, Rylander E, Torebjork E. Decreased mechanical pain threshold in the vestibular mucosa of women using oral contraceptives: a contributing factor in vulvar vestibulitis? J Reprod Med. 2004;49(11):888-92.
40. Bouchard C, Brisson J, Fortier M, Morin C, Blanchette C. Use of oral contraceptive pills and vulvar vestibulitis: a case-control study. Am J Epidemiol. 2002;156(3):254-61.
41. Harlow B, Vitonis A, Stewart E. Influence of oral contraceptive use on the risk of adult-onset vuldynia. J Reprod Med. 2008;53:102-10.
42. Brown CS, Glazer HI, Vogt V, Menkes D, Bachmann G. Subjective and objective outcomes of botulinum toxin type A treatment in vestibulodynia: pilot data. J Reprod Med. 2006;51(8):635-41.
43. Dykstra DD, Presthus J. Botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of provoked vestibulodynia: an open-label, pilot study. J Reprod Med. 2006;51(6):467-70.
44. Stolar AG, Stewart JT. Nortriptyline for depression and vulvodynia. Am J Psychiatry. 2002;159(2):316-7.
45. Reed BD, Caron AM, Gorenflo DW, Haefner HK. Treatment of vulvodynia with tricyclic antidepressants: efficacy and associated factors. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2006;10(4):245-51.
46. McKay M. Dysesthetic ("essential") vulvodynia. Treatment with amitriptyline. J Reprod Med. 1993;38(1):9-13.
47. Harris G, Horowitz B, Borgida A. Evaluation of gabapentin in the treatment of generalized vulvodynia, unprovoked. J Reprod Med. 2007;52(2):103-6.
48. Glazer HI. Dysesthetic vulvodynia. Long-term follow-up after treatment with surface electromyography-assisted pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation. J Reprod Med. 2000;45(10):798-802.
49. McKay E, Kaufman RH, Doctor U, Berkova Z, Glazer H, Redko V. Treating vulvar vestibulitis with electromyographic biofeedback of pelvic floor musculature. J Reprod Med. 2001;46(4):337-42.
50. Bergeron S, Binik YM, Khalife S, Pagidas K, Glazer HI, Meana M, et al. A randomized comparison of group cognitive - behavioral therapy, surface electromyographic biofeedback, and vestibulectomy in the treatment of dyspareunia resulting from vulvar vestibulitis. Pain. 2001;91(3):297-306.
51. Bergeron S, Bouchard C, Fortier M, Binik YM, Khalife S. The surgical treatment of vulvar vestibulitis syndrome: a follow-up study. J Sex Marital Ther. 1997;23(4):317-25.
52. Weijmar Schultz WC, Gianotten WL, van der Meijden WI, van de Wiel HB, Blindeman L, Chadha S, et al. Behavioral approach with or without surgical intervention to the vulvar vestibulitis syndrome: a prospective randomized and non-randomized study. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 1996;17(3):143-8.
53. Haefner HK. Critique of new gynecologic surgical procedures: surgery for vulvar vestibulitis. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2000;43(3):689-700.
54. Lavy Y, Lev-Sagie A, Hamani Y, Zacut D, Ben Chetrit A. Modified vulvar vestibulectomy: simple and effective surgery for the treatment of vulvar vestibulitis. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2005;120(1):91-5.
55. Danielsson I, Sjoberg I, Ostman C. Acupuncture for the treatment of vulvar vestibulitis: a pilot study. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2001;80(5):437-41.
56. Foster DC, Dworkin RH, Wood RW. Effects of intradermal foot and forearm capsaicin injections in normal and vulvodynia-afflicted women. Pain. 2005;117(1-2):128-36.
57. Leclair CM, Goetsch MF, Lee KK, Jensen JT. KTP-nd:YAG laser therapy for the treatment of vestibulodynia: a follow-up study. J Reprod Med. 2007;52(1):53-8.