Prevalence of symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of vulvodynia: population-based estimates from 2 geographic regions

Abstract

OBJECTIVES We used validated sensitive and specific questions associated with clinically-confirmed diagnoses of unexplained vulvar pain (Vulvodynia) to compare the cumulative incidence of vulvar pain and prevalence of care seeking behavior in Boston, Massachusetts metropolitan area (BMA) and in Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP), Minnesota, between 2001–2005 using census-based data, and 2010–2012, using outpatient community-clinic data, respectively. STUDY DESIGN We received self-administered questionnaires from 5,440 women in BMA and 13,681 in MSP, 18–40 years of age, describing their history of vulvar burning or pain on contact that persisted >3 months that limited/prevented intercourse. RESULTS By age 40, 7–8% in BMA and MSP reported vulvar pain consistent with Vulvodynia. Women of Hispanic/Latina origin compared to Caucasians were 1.4 times more likely to develop vulvar pain symptoms (95%CI: 1.1–1.8). Many women in MSP (48%) and BMA (30%) never sought treatment, and >50% who sought care with known health care access received no diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Using identical screening methods, we report high prevalence of vulvar pain in two geographical regions, and that access to health care does not increase the likelihood of seeking care for chronic vulvar pain.

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

“…The population prevalence is estimated to vary from 3 to 18% globally,2 and lifetime estimates range from 10 to 28% 3. Wide ranges reflect significant heterogeneity in methodologies of prevalence studies 4.…”

Why Us? Perceived Injustice is Associated with More Sexual and Psychological Distress in Couples Coping with Genito-Pelvic Pain

“…The fact that this condition is often misdiagnosed or ignored may partly explain women's distress. Indeed, only 56.5% of women seek medical help, and of these, 30 to 50% do not receive a diagnosis [1]. Women with PVD also report a sense of shame, invalidation and isolation, and may blame themselves [10] for their condition, viewing it as unfair.…”

“…With a prevalence of 8-12% in community samples, PVD is the most frequent cause of genitopelvic pain/penetration disorder (GPPPD) in premenopausal women [1]. It is often characterized by a recurrent and burning pain upon pressure to the vestibule, such as during vaginal penetration or tampon insertion [2].…”

Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (GPPPD): An Overview of Current Terminology, Etiology, and Treatment

“…PVD is thought to be the most common cause of introital dyspareunia, affecting up to 8% of reproductive age women [6,7]. Recent estimates suggest that 17-19% of American women experience coital pain, though epidemiological data can be difficult to interpret as many women may not discuss these symptoms with their physicians due to fear of embarrassment or stigmatization [3,8].…”