Loading...
Vulvar pain syndromes, which are collectively called vulvodynia, are characterized by chronic, unpleasant vulvar sensations of burning, stinging, rawness, or irritation. Although the actual prevalence of vulvodynia is unknown, an NIH prevalence study is in progress.
The evaluation of women with persistent vulvar pain should include a medical history and physical examination to exclude primary psychosexual dysfunction, infection, or vulvar dermatoses. It is appropriate for primary clinicians to initially identify and treat vulvar pain; however, an interdisciplinary approach involving dermatology, physical therapy, pain management, and other specialties is ideal. Clinicians evaluating and treating women with vulvar pain should be aware that th…