Assessment of vulvodynia symptoms in a sample of US women: a prevalence survey with a nested case control study

Abstract

Objective-Vulvodynia is a chronic pain syndrome of unknown etiology with scant data on frequency. This study assessed the prevalence of vulvodynia symptoms in a sample of U.S. women and compared health characteristics of symptomatic and asymptomatic women.Study Design-A phone survey contacted 2,127 U.S. households to identify 100 symptomatic women, who were matched on age and time-zone to 325 asymptomatic controls. Odds ratios and logistic regression were used to model associations between pain, medical conditions, and healthcare utilization variables.Results-Current vulvar pain of at least 6 months duration was reported by 3.8% of respondents, with a 9.9% lifetime prevalence. Forty-five percent of women with pain reported an adverse effect on their sexual life and 27% an adverse effect on their life style. Cases more frequently reported repeated urinary tract infections (OR, 6.15; 95% CI,) and yeast infections (OR, 4.24; 95% CI,). Associations existed with chronic fatigue syndrome (OR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.33-6.19), fibromyalgia (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.06-4.36), depression (OR, 2.99; 95% CI,, and irritable bowel syndrome (OR, 1.86; 95% CI,).Conclusions-Lifetime chronic vulvar pain was less prevalent in this national sample of women than previous data suggest and was correlated with several co-morbid chronic medical conditions and substantial reduction in self-reported quality of life.

Painful sex (dyspareunia) in women: prevalence and associated factors in a British population probability survey

“…In postmenopausal women, painful sex is typically associated with dryness resulting from vaginal atrophy 37. We found that reporting painful sex was associated with menopausal status, although several studies have failed to find such an association 5, 17, 38. Our finding of an association with depressive symptoms is supported by case–control studies7, 12, 14 but has not always been found in population studies 15, 31…”

“…Other studies do not measure dyspareunia per se, but report estimates of genital pain disorders such as vulvodynia. Studies using telephone surveys to ask about detailed symptomatology generally produce estimates of around 3.8%17 and 4.2%5 for vulvar pain of ≥6 months duration, and 8.3% for vulvodynia 30…”

Vulvodinia: Un Diagnóstico Olvidado Frente Al Dolor Vulvar

“…Un estudio de 2127 mujeres determinó que en los últimos 6 meses un 3,8% de las mujeres encuestadas había presentado V, con una prevalencia a lo largo de la vida de 9,9% (11). Dos estudios (12).…”

“…La mayoría (88%) dice que es sensación de quemadura. El dolor puede ser intermitente o constante, y debe estar presente en los últimos 6 meses o más (11).…”

“…Algunas encuestas determinan que el 27% considera que la V causa este efecto sobre sus vidas (11). Un 42% dice no tener control en sus vidas y el 60% siente su cuerpo fuera de control.…”