Preview

Neurology, Neuropsychiatry, Psychosomatics

Advanced search

Vulvodynia: a modern perspective on the problem

https://doi.org/10.14412/2074-2711-2021-2-4-9

Abstract

 Vulvodynia is a chronic persistent pain syndrome that affects the vulvar area and lasts more than 3 months without a clearly identifiable cause. Provoked localized pain in the vulval vestibule is the most prevalent type of vulvodynia and is interpreted as dysfunctional pain. Peripheral and central sensitization contribute to the onset and persistence of  vulvodynia. Chronic pain predictably causes significant issues  for a woman's psychological, sexual and physical health. The  diagnosis of vulvodynia includes an assessment of all the factors  associated with pain. Successful treatment of vulvodynia goes beyond identifying one trigger and prescribing one type  of treatment. Patient-centered interdisciplinary approach is the most promising, including psychotherapy, lifestyle changes,  drug therapy.  

About the Authors

M. Yu. Maksimova
Research Center of Neurology, Ministry of Education and Science of Russia
Russian Federation

 80, Volokolamskoye Shosse, Moscow 125367, Russia 



M. N. Sharov
A.I. Evdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, Ministry of Health of Russia
Russian Federation

 20, Delegatskaya St., Build 1, Moscow 127473, Russia 



A. V. Zaitsev
A.I. Evdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, Ministry of Health of Russia
Russian Federation

20, Delegatskaya St., Build 1, Moscow 127473, Russia 



Yu. S. Prokofyeva
A.I. Evdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, Ministry of Health of Russia
Russian Federation

20, Delegatskaya St., Build 1, Moscow 127473, Russia 



I. L. Korsunskaya
S.I. Spasokukptskiy City Clinical Hospital DZM
Russian Federation

 21, Vuchetich St., Moscow 127206, Russia
 



A. P. Rachin
National Medical Research Center of Rehabilitation and Balneology, Ministry of Health of Russia
Russian Federation

 32, Novyi Arbat St., Moscow 121099, Russia 



S. A. Rachin
I.P. Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia
Russian Federation

 6-8, L'va Tolstogo St., Saint Petersburg 197022, Russia 



References

1. Moyal-Barracco M, Lynch PJ. 2003 ISSVD terminology and classification of vulvodynia: a historical perspective. J Reprod Med. 2004;49(10):772-7.

2. Bornstein J, Goldstein AT, Stockdale CK, et al. Consensus Vulvar Pain Terminology Committee of the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), and the International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS). 2015 ISSVD, ISSWSH, and IPPS consensus terminology and classification of persistent vulvar pain and vulvodynia. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2016 Apr;20(2):126-30. doi: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000190

3. Pukall CF, Goldstein AT, Bergeron S, et al. Vulvodynia: definition, prevalence, impact, and pathophysiological factors. J Sex Med. 2016 Mar;13(3):291-304. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2015.12.021

4. Rapkin A, Masghati S, Grisales T. Treatment of genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder. In: Ishak W, ed. The Textbook of Clinical Sexual Medicine. Springer, Cham; 2017. P. 305-26. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-52539-6_21

5. American Psychiatric Association. Genitopelvic pain/penetration disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association; 2013. P. 437-40.

6. Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (GPPPD): An Overview of Current Terminology, Etiology, and Treatment. University of Ottawa J Med. 2017;7(2):48-53. doi: 10.18192/uojm.v7i2.2198

7. Pukall CF. Primary and secondary provoked vestibulodynia: a review of overlapping and distinct factors. Sex Med Rev. 2016 Jan;4(1):36-44. doi: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2015.10.012. Epub 2016 Jan 8.

8. Harlow BL, Kunitz CG, Nguyen RH, et al. Prevalence of symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of vulvodynia: population-based estimates from 2 geographic regions. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Jan;210(1):40.e1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2013.09.033. Epub 2013 Sep 28.

9. Brotto LA, Yong P, Smith KB, Sadownik LA. Impact of a multidisciplinary vulvodynia program on sexual functioning and dyspareunia. J Sex Med. 2015 Jan;12(1):238-47. doi: 10.1111/jsm.12718. Epub 2014 Oct 30.

10. Guyen RH, Mathur C, Wynings EM, et al. Remission of vulvar pain among women with primary vulvodynia. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2015 Jan;19(1):62-7. doi: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000041

11. Xie Y, Shi L, Xiong X, et al. Economic burden and quality of life of vulvodynia in the United States. Curr Med Res Opin. 2012 Apr;28(4):601-8. doi: 10.1185/03007995.2012.666963. Epub 2012 Mar 20.

12. Ventolini G. Vulvar pain: Anatomic and recent pathophysiologic considerations. Clin Anat. 2013 Jan;26(1):130-3. doi: 10.1002/ca.22160. Epub 2012 Sep 5.

13. Wesselmann U, Garrett-Mayer E, Gilpin AMК, Zhang L. The influence of the ovarian cycle on mechanical hyperalgesia in vulvar vestibulitis – a neuropathic urogenital pain syndrome. Conference: 131st Annual Meeting of the American-NeurologicalAssociation. Ann Neurol. 2006;60 Suppl. 3:S29. doi: 10.1002/ana.11471

14. Schlaeger JM, Patil CL, Steffen AD, et al. Sensory pain characteristics of vulvodynia and their association with nociceptive and neuropathic pain: an online survey pilot study. Pain Rep. 2019 Feb 22;4(2):e713. doi: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000000713. eCollection Mar-Apr 2019.

15. Sadownik LA. Etiology, diagnosis, and clinical management of vulvodynia. Int J Womens Health. 2014 May 2;6:437-49. doi: 10.2147/IJWH.S37660. eCollection 2014.

16. Chalmers KJ, Madden VJ, Hutchinson MR, Moseley GL. Local and systemic inflammation in localized, provoked vestibulodynia: a systematic review. Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Aug;128(2):337-47. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000001510

17. Heddini U, Johannesson U, Grönbladh A, et al. A118G polymorphism in the μ-opioid receptor gene and levels of β- endorphin are associated with provoked vestibulodynia and pressure pain sensitivity. Scand J Pain. 2014 Jan 1;5(1):10-6. doi: 10.1016/j.sjpain.2013.10.004

18. Morin M, Binik YM, Bourbonnais D, et al. Heightened pelvic floor muscle tone and altered contractility in women with provoked vestibulodynia. J Sex Med. 2017 Apr;14(4):592-600. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.02.012

19. Lynch PJ. Vulvodynia as a somatoform disorder. J Reprod Med. 2008 Jun;53(6):390-6.

20. Wesselmann U, Bonham A, Foster D. Vulvodynia: current state of the biological science. Pain. 2014;155(9):1696-701. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2014.05.010

21. Foster DC, Dworkin RH, Wood RW. Effects of intradermal foot and forearm capsaicin injections in normal and vulvodyniaafflicted women. Pain. 2005;117(1-2):128-36. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2005.05.025

22. Khandker M, Brady SS, Stewart EG, Harlow BL. Is chronic stress during childhood associated with adult-onset vulvodynia? J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2014 Aug;23(8):649-56. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2013.4484

23. Paquet M, Rosen NO, Steben M, et al. Daily anxiety and depressive symptoms in couples coping with vulvodynia: associations with women's pain, women's sexual function, and both partners' sexual distress. J Pain. 2018 May;19(5):552-61. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2017.12.264

24. Papoutsis D, Antonakou A. The Q-tip test of the vulva as a diagnostic aid for vulvodynia: sensitivity, specificity and predictive values. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 2019 Jun;40(2):90. doi: 10.1080/0167482X.2017.1415882

25. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Gynecologic Practice; American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP). Persistent Vulvar Pain. Committee Opinion No. 673. Obstet Gynecol. 2016;128(3):e78-84. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000001645

26. Micheletti L, Bogliatto F, Lynch PJ. Vulvoscopy: review of a diagnostic approach requiring clarification. J Reprod Med. 2008;53(3):179-82.

27. Haefner HK, Collins ME, Davis GD, et al. The Vulvodynia Guideline. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2005;9(1):40-51. doi: 10.1097/00128360-200501000-00009

28. Goldstein AT, Pukall CF, Brown C, et al. Vulvodynia: assessment and treatment. J Sex Med. 2016;13(4):572-90. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.01.020

29. Brotto LA, Bergeron S, Zdaniuk B, Basson R. Mindfulness and cognitive behavior therapy for provoked vestibulodynia: mediators of treatment outcome and long-term effects. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2020;88(1):48-64. doi: 10.1037/ccp0000473

30. Rachin SA, Sharov MN, Zaitsev AV, et al. Chronic pelvic pain: from correct diagnosis to adequate therapy. Nevrologiya, neiropsikhiatriya, psikhosomatika = Neurology, Neuropsychiatry, Psychosomatics. 2020;12(2):12-6. doi: 10.14412/2074-2711-2020-2-12-16 (In Russ.)

31. Morin M, Carroll MS, Bergeron S. Systematic review of the effectiveness of physical therapy modalities in women with provoked vestibulodynia. Sex Med Rev. 2017;5(3):295-322. doi: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2017.02.003

32. Hartmann D, Strauhal MJ, Nelson CA. Treatment of women in the United States with localized, provoked vulvodynia: practice survey of women's health physical therapists. J Reprod Med. 2007;52(1):48-52. doi: 10.1097/01274882-200731030-00005

33. Holbech JV, Jung A, Jonsson T, et al. Combination treatment of neuropathic pain: Danish expert recommendations based on a Delphi process. J Pain Res. 2017;10:1467-75. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S138099

34. Leo RJ. A systematic review of the utility of anticonvulsant pharmacotherapy in the treatment of vulvodynia pain. J Sex Med. 2013;10(8):2000-8. doi: 10.1111/jsm.12200

35. Spoelstra SK, Borg C, Weijmar Schultz WC. Anticonvulsant pharmacotherapy for generalized and localized vulvodynia: a critical review of the literature. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 2013 Sep;34(3):133-8. doi: 10.3109/0167482X.2013.823942

36. Bergeron S, Reed BD, Wesselmann U, Bohm-Starke N. Vulvodynia. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2020;6(1):36. doi: 10.1038/s41572-020-0164-2

37. Lua LL, Hollette Y, Parm P, et al. Current practice patterns for management of vulvodynia in the United States. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2017;295(3):669-74. doi: 10.1007/s00404-016-4272-x

38. Chen J, Geng L, Song X, et al. Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of hyaluronic acid vaginal gel to ease vaginal dryness: a multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label, parallel-group, clinical trial. J Sex Med. 2013 Jun;10(6):1575-84. doi: 10.1111/jsm.12125. Epub 2013 Apr 9.

39. Couchourel D, Fasola E. Methods and kits for treating vaginal and vulvar vestibule mucosa disorders U.S. Patent No. 9,155,757. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; 13 October 2015.

40. Vallinga MS, Spoelstra SK, Hemel IL, et al. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation as an additional treatment for women suffering from therapy-resistant provoked vestibulodynia: a feasibility study. J Sex Med. 2015 Jan;12(1):228-37. doi: 10.1111/jsm.12740. Epub 2014 Nov 12.

41. Sclafani AP, McCormick SA. Induction of dermal collagenesis, angiogenesis, and adipogenesis in human skin by injection of plateletrich fibrin matrix. Arch Facial Plast Surg. Mar-Apr 2012;14(2):132-6. doi: 10.1001/archfacial.2011.784. Epub 2011 Oct 17.

42. Tommola P, Unkila-Kallio L, Paavonen J. Surgical treatment of vulvar vestibulitis: a review. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2010 Nov;89(11):1385-95. doi: 10.3109/00016349.2010.512071

43. Bergeron S, Binik YM, Khalife S, Pagidas K. Vulvar vestibulitis syndrome: a critical review. Clin J Pain. 1997 Mar;13(1):27-42. doi: 10.1097/00002508-199703000-00006

44. Pelletier F, Girardin M, Humbert P, et al. Long-term assessment of effectiveness and quality of life of OnabotulinumtoxinA injections in provoked vestibulodynia. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016 Jan;30(1):106-11. doi: 10.1111/jdv.13437. Epub 2015 Oct 22.


Review

For citations:


Maksimova MY, Sharov MN, Zaitsev AV, Prokofyeva YS, Korsunskaya IL, Rachin AP, Rachin SA. Vulvodynia: a modern perspective on the problem. Nevrologiya, neiropsikhiatriya, psikhosomatika = Neurology, Neuropsychiatry, Psychosomatics. 2021;13(2):4-9. https://doi.org/10.14412/2074-2711-2021-2-4-9

Views: 1942


Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.


ISSN 2074-2711 (Print)
ISSN 2310-1342 (Online)