Vulvodynia

Complex pain syndrome with unknown etiology, characterized by constant or intermittent generalized vulva pain (Generalized vulvodynia) or localized burning sensations in the VESTIBULE area when pressure is applied (Vestibulodynia, or Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome). Typically, vulvar tissue with vulvodynia appears normal without infection or skin disease. Vulvodynia impacts negatively on a woman's quality of life as it interferes with sexual and daily activities.

Also Known As:

Networked: 339 relevant articles (60 outcomes, 89 trials/studies)

Relationship Network

Disease Context: Research Results

Related Diseases

1.	Pain (Aches)
2.	Dyspareunia
3.	Pelvic Pain
4.	Vulvodynia
5.	Somatoform Disorders (Somatoform Disorder)

Experts

1.	Bergeron, Sophie: 14 articles (01/2022 - 01/2008)
2.	Morin, Mélanie: 11 articles (06/2022 - 01/2016)
3.	Foster, David C: 11 articles (10/2021 - 09/2005)
4.	Harlow, Bernard L: 10 articles (01/2022 - 02/2008)
5.	Leclair, Catherine M: 9 articles (07/2021 - 01/2007)
6.	Mayrand, Marie-Hélène: 8 articles (01/2022 - 12/2014)
7.	Pukall, Caroline F: 8 articles (01/2021 - 07/2009)
8.	Bohm-Starke, Nina: 8 articles (01/2020 - 07/2007)
9.	Haugstad, Gro Killi: 7 articles (11/2022 - 07/2015)
10.	Waddell, Guy: 7 articles (01/2022 - 01/2016)

Drugs and Biologics

Drugs and Important Biological Agents (IBA) related to Vulvodynia:

1.	Gabapentin (Neurontin)FDA LinkGeneric 02/01/2007 - "To determine the efficacy of gabapentin in the treatment of generalized vulvodynia, unprovoked, to determine the most common presenting symptoms in patients with this diagnosis, to evaluate the prevalence of comorbidities in these patients and to determine the possibility of comorbidities or specific presenting symptoms that decrease the efficacy of this drug. " 02/01/2007 - "Gabapentin appears to be very effective in the treatment of generalized vulvodynia, unprovoked. " 01/01/2019 - "Gabapentin improved sexual function in this group of women with provoked vulvodynia, although overall sexual function remained lower than women without the disorder. " 01/01/2018 - "To evaluate whether extended-release gabapentin is more effective than placebo among women with vulvodynia. " 01/01/2023 - "Due to the paucity of evidence, this review supports the future implementation of double-blind randomized controlled trials to further investigate the efficacy of topical gabapentin in the treatment of vulvodynia."
2.	Type A Botulinum Toxins (Botox)FDA Link 03/01/2011 - "Efficacy of high doses of botulinum toxin A for treating provoked vestibulodynia." 09/01/2009 - "Botulinum toxin type A-a novel treatment for provoked vestibulodynia? " 09/01/2009 - "This randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Botox in the treatment of vestibulodynia. " 01/01/2016 - "To assess the long-term efficacy of OnabotulinumtoxinA in provoked vestibulodynia. " 03/01/2011 - "To evaluate the efficacy of botulinum toxin A in the treatment of provoked vestibulodynia. "
3.	Lidocaine (Xylocaine)FDA LinkGeneric 03/01/2023 - "In conclusion, exclusive manual perineal rehabilitation using lidocaine 2% gel seems to be a safe and effective treatment option for vulvodynia in women." 01/01/2020 - "The comparison data were collected as part of a bicentric randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of physiotherapy in comparison with topical lidocaine in 212 women suffering from provoked vestibulodynia. " 03/01/2023 - "Exclusive manual perineal rehabilitation with lidocaine 2% gel in the treatment of provoked vestibulodynia: results from a single-arm interventional study." 11/01/2021 - "Predictors and Moderators of Provoked Vestibulodynia Treatment Outcome Following a Randomized Trial Comparing Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy to Overnight Lidocaine." 10/01/2019 - "Acupuncture Augmentation of Lidocaine for Provoked, Localized Vulvodynia: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study."
4.	Amitriptyline (Elavil)FDA LinkGeneric 01/01/1993 - "This study defines dysesthetic ("essential") vulvodynia, and describes a typical profile and symptom pattern for patients most likely to respond to treatment with amitriptyline (an average age of 66 with vulvodynia for three years). " 01/01/2023 - "Commentary on: "Does the addition of electrical stimulation or kinesiotherapy improve outcomes of amitriptyline treatment for women with vulvodynia? " 01/01/2023 - "Does the addition of electrical stimulation or kinesiotherapy improve outcomes of amitriptyline treatment for women with vulvodynia? " 11/01/2020 - "A single-blinded randomized controlled trial of 57 women with vulvodynia randomly assigned to either KTP + amitriptyline or amitriptyline alone (controls) for treatment. " 01/01/1999 - "Amitriptyline versus placebo for treatment of vulvodynia: a prospective study."
5.	Botulinum Toxins (Botulinum Toxin)IBA 06/01/2006 - "Doubleblind, placebo-controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy of botulinum toxin in treating patients with provoked vestibulodynia are warranted." 03/01/2019 - "Botulinum toxin-treatment of localized provoked vulvodynia refractory to conventional treatment." 05/01/2011 - "Intralevator injection of botulinum toxin for the treatment of hypertonic pelvic floor muscle dysfunction and vestibulodynia." 06/01/2006 - "To evaluate the effects of botulinum toxin type Afor the treatment of provoked vestibulodynia. " 01/01/2007 - "Even though further investigation and well-controlled study will be necessary, we suggest that the botulinum toxin therapy would be useful and safe in managing vulvodynia of muscular or neuroinflammatory origins."
6.	salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM)IBA 10/01/2019 - "Methods: Systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in six search engines until December 2018, comparing any intervention vs. placebo or sham in women with vestibulodynia. " 05/14/2016 - "This single-center, triple-blind, parallel group, randomized, controlled trial aims to compare the efficacy of transcranial direct-current stimulation with sham transcranial direct-current stimulation in women with provoked vestibulodynia. " 01/01/2017 - "Women aged 17-45 years diagnosed with provoked vestibulodynia by a gynecologist using a validated protocol were randomized to 10 sessions of either active transcranial direct-current stimulation (intensity = 2 mA) or 10 sessions of sham transcranial direct-current stimulation, over a 2-week period. " 05/14/2016 - "Forty women diagnosed with provoked vestibulodynia by a gynecologist, following a standardized treatment protocol, are randomized to either active transcranial direct-current stimulation treatment for ten sessions of 20 minutes at an intensity of 2 mA or sham transcranial direct-current stimulation over a 2-week period. " 01/01/2017 - "The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of active and sham transcranial direct-current stimulation in reducing pain intensity during intercourse in patients with provoked vestibulodynia. "
7.	Anticonvulsants (Antiepileptic Drugs)IBA 08/01/2013 - "There were no systematic investigations into the comparative efficacy of different anticonvulsant agents in the treatment of vulvodynia. " 09/01/2013 - "The goal of this study was to critically review studies published on the effectiveness of anticonvulsants for the treatment of vulvodynia. " 09/01/2013 - "Insufficient evidence was available to recommend anticonvulsants for the treatment of vulvodynia. " 08/01/2013 - "An assessment of the methodological quality of published reports addressing the utility of anticonvulsants in the treatment of vulvodynia was undertaken. " 08/01/2013 - "Anticonvulsants have increasingly been invoked in the treatment of vulvodynia. "
8.	Antidepressive Agents (Antidepressants)IBA 10/01/2013 - "Although some vulvodynia-afflicted patients derive symptom relief from antidepressants, additional research is required to identify those characteristics that would predict those patients for whom antidepressants are more likely to be effective." 10/01/2013 - "There were no systematic investigations into the comparative efficacy of different antidepressant classes in the treatment of vulvodynia. " 01/01/2008 - "The aim of this study is to evaluate the main clinical signs, associated psychopathological disorders and outcome after antidepressant treatment of patients with vulvodynia. " 10/01/2013 - "  An assessment of the methodological quality of published reports addressing the utility of antidepressants in the treatment of vulvodynia was undertaken. " 10/01/2013 - "  Antidepressants have often been recommended as a potential treatment for the management of vulvodynia. "
9.	Pregabalin (Lyrica)FDA Link 01/01/2007 - "Pregabalin-induced remission in a 62-year-old woman with a 20-year history of vulvodynia." 01/01/2018 - "Generalized unprovoked vulvodynia; A retrospective study on the efficacy of treatment with amitriptyline, gabapentin or pregabalin."
10.	6-chloro-2-(1-piperazinyl)pyrazine (CPP)IBA 09/01/2019 - "Conclusions: There is a need for increased awareness regarding vulvodynia and CPP among health care providers. " 09/01/2019 - "Sixty-five women were diagnosed with CPP only, 42 with vulvodynia and 20 with both conditions. " 09/01/2009 - "Based on the chief complaints, they were divided into four subgroups: BPS/IC (n = 157), CPP (n = 98), vulvodynia/dyspareunia (n = 40), and "other" (n = 113). " 03/01/2009 - "In particular, women with vulvodynia-type CPP (N = 17) had robust reductions in pain and mood symptoms. " 01/01/2019 - "The term "CPP" encompasses a number of treatment-resistant conditions like pudendal neuralgia, interstitial cystitis, coccygodynia, vulvodynia. "

Therapies and Procedures

1.	Therapeutics 12/01/2022 - "Few therapies have proven to be effective for provoked vestibulodynia. " 01/01/2023 - "Few therapies have shown to be effective for the treatment of vulvodynia. " 11/01/2008 - "The objective of this study was to describe acceptability of vulvar vibration therapy (VVT), a novel treatment approach to vulvodynia. " 01/01/2021 - "The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of low-intensity shockwave therapy in patients with provoked vestibulodynia. " 01/01/2019 - "Psychological understanding, one-to-one therapy, and consultation and training for healthcare professionals may help to improve the psychological well-being of women with vulvodynia."
2.	Physical Therapy Modalities (Physical Therapy Technique) 01/11/2021 - "Pelvic floor physical therapy exercises have been found to be effective at reducing other forms of genito-pelvic discomfort, such as vulvodynia, and may also be beneficial to those experiencing PGAD/GPD. " 01/01/2021 - "Long-Term Efficacy of Physical Therapy for Localized Provoked Vulvodynia." 01/01/2021 - "Although physical therapy is advocated as a first-line treatment for provoked vestibulodynia, evidence supporting its efficacy is scarce. " 11/01/2020 - "This study provides evidence on efficiency of a physical therapy protocol for improvement of symptoms of vulvodynia and hypertonicity changes. " 07/11/2023 - "Women with vulvodynia perceive physical therapy as a promising and yet unknown approach. "
3.	Injections 10/01/2023 - "Further studies are needed to assess the optimal dosing, frequency, and sites of BT injections in the treatment of vulvodynia in pediatric and adolescent patients." 02/01/2018 - "The treatment of vulvodynia includes general care measures, topical, oral, or injectable agents, psychological approaches, pelvic floor rehabilitation and, in some cases, surgery. " 08/01/2006 - "BTX/A injections may be effective in reducing coital pain in vestibulodynia with levator ani tenderness but have little effect on vestibular allodynia. " 01/01/1999 - "Sustained improvement in vulvodynia symptoms with interferon injections." 01/01/2023 - "Treatment of Vestibulodynia with Submucosal Injections of IncobotulinumtoxinA into Targeted Painful Points: An Open-Label Exploratory Study."
4.	Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS) 08/01/2008 - "TENS is a simple, effective and safe short-term (3 months) treatment for the management of vestibulodynia." 08/01/2008 - "To assess the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in the treatment of vestibulodynia. " 04/01/2013 - "This study confirms that TENS is of significant benefit in the management of vestibulodynia, also in a home environment. " 08/01/2008 - "Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to treat vestibulodynia: a randomised controlled trial." 01/01/2023 - "Effectiveness of Two Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Protocols in Women with Provoked Vestibulodynia: A Randomized Controlled Trial."
5.	Lasers (Laser) 05/01/2023 - "After the first laser application, the VEL+Nd:YAG and the VEL groups showed sustained efficacy and safety in vulvodynia. " 10/03/2023 - "Future research should focus on conducting well-designed randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy of different types of lasers in the treatment of vulvodynia." 10/03/2023 - "A scoping review with a systematic search was conducted that included studies investigating the use of laser treatment in women with vulvodynia. " 07/01/2023 - "Our study aims to investigate the effectiveness of these combined laser treatments in women with IC/BPS and vulvodynia. " 10/03/2023 - "We sought to review the literature and summarize the existing published evidence regarding the effects of lasers for the treatment of women with vulvodynia. "