Estrogen receptor expression in vulvar vestibulitis syndrome

Eva, Lois; MacLean, Allan; Reid, Wendy; Rolfe, KJ; Perrett, CW

doi:10.1067/s0002-9378(03)00365-x

Cited by 59 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…HCs can also affect the vestibular epithelium through interaction with hormone receptors or alteration of receptor expression 63– 65 . Results from studies investigating the expression of estrogen receptor α (ERα) in PVD patients are contradictory.…”

Section: Hormonal Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent advances in understanding provoked vestibulodynia

Lev‐Sagie

2016

F1000Res

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Vulvodynia refers to pain in the vulva of at least 3 months’ duration in the absence of a recognized underlying cause. Provoked, localized vestibulodynia is the term used to describe superficial pain confined to the vulvar vestibule, provoked by touch. This review will focus on provoked vestibulodynia with regard to its suggested causative factors and will discuss the role of inflammation, vulvovaginal infections, mucosal nerve fiber proliferation, hormonal associations, central pain mechanisms, pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, and genetic factors. Clinical observations, epidemiological studies, and data from basic research emphasize the heterogeneity of vulvar pain syndromes. There is a critical need to perform prospective, longitudinal studies that will allow better diagnostic criteria and subgrouping of patients that would lead to improvements in our understanding of provoked vestibulodynia and its treatment.

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Section: Hormonal Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent advances in understanding provoked vestibulodynia

Lev‐Sagie

2016

F1000Res

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“…Over time, various modifications of surgical procedures have come in and out of favor, most commonly because of subsequent reports of higher complications or limited efficacy [3]. At present, the most common form of this procedure involves resection of the vestibule encompassing the lower half of the genital hiatus.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychosexual correlates of persistent postsurgical pain in patients with vulvodynia

Eanes

Bair

Martin

et al. 2011

Intl J Gynecology & Obste

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Objective To examine long-term reports of pain and psychologic correlates of pain in women after vestibulectomy. Methods In a retrospective cross-sectional exploratory study, 37 women who had undergone vestibulectomy between January 1989 and January 2008 completed questionnaires assessing demographic information, self-reported levels of pain, anxiety, somatization, psychologic distress, and sexual function. Results Eight women reported being completely pain free after surgery. The remaining 29 women reported various levels of pain during intercourse (as measured by the Gracely pain scale) and decreased sexual function (as measured by a sexual functioning questionnaire). Various measures of psychologic distress were associated with average intercourse-related pain, including brief symptom inventory (P=0.002), Pennebaker inventory of limbic languidness (P=0.002), perceived stress scale (P=0.04), and Spielberger trait–anxiety inventory (P=0.01). These same measures of psychological distress were similarly associated with general, unprovoked vaginal pain. Conclusion The present data suggest that the pathophysiology of localized vulvodynia may be more complex in some women, leading to a suboptimal response to surgical treatment.

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“…11 Vulvar estrogen receptor alpha density is substantially decreased in women who suffer from vulvar vestibulitis syndrome, a pain disorder involving the vulva. 12 Among a wide variety of noncholinergic neurotransmitters identified in the female sexual organs, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has received special attention. 13,14 Sensory experiences in the genital and perineal region, including the skin, prepuce, glans, connective tissue septa of the corpora cavernosa, and vagina, are mediated predominantly by neuropeptides.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%