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Cited by 158Sexual function and dysfunction studiesPelvic floor disorders treatmentsGenital Health and Disease

Vulvodynia

Bergeron, Sophie, Reed, Barbara D., Wesselmann, Ursula, Bohm-Starke, Nina·2020·Nature Reviews Disease Primers
DOI 10.1038/s41572-020-0164-2
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Abstract

Vulvodynia is a condition that occurs in 8-10% of women of all ages and is characterized by pain at the vulva that is present during sexual and/or non-sexual situations. Diagnosis is established through careful medical history and pelvic examination, including the cotton-swab test. The onset and maintenance of vulvodynia involves a complex interplay of peripheral and central pain mechanisms, pelvic floor muscle and autonomic dysfunction, anxiety, depression and childhood maltreatment as well as cognitive-affective, behavioural and interpersonal factors. Given the absence of empirically supported treatment guidelines, a stepwise approach of pelvic floor physical therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy as well as medical management is suggested, with surgery as the last option. Vulvodynia has a negative effect on the quality of life of women and their partners, and imposes a profound personal and societal economic burden. In addition, women with vulvodynia are more likely to report other chronic pain conditions, which further alters their quality of life. Future efforts should aim to increase girls', women's and healthcare professionals' education and awareness of vulvodynia, phenotype different subgroups of women based on biopsychosocial characteristics among more diverse samples, conduct longitudinal studies and improve clinical trial designs.

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Crossref · 10.1038/s41572-020-0164-2

Cites

222 of 222 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The aetiology of vulvodynia is not clear, but a combination of psychosocial and pathophysiological mechanisms is believed to contribute to its onset.

    “The aetiology is not clear, but a combination of psychosocial and pathophysiological mechanisms is believed to contribute to the onset (Bergeron et al., 2020; Bornstein et al., 2016; Faye and Piraccini, 2020).”

    From Internet-based treatment for vulvodynia (EMBLA) – Study protocol for a randomised controlled study (2021) · cites this paper as Bergeron et al., 2020

  • A multidisciplinary approach is recommended for vulvodynia, and pelvic floor physiotherapy and CBT are considered first-line treatment.

    “Regarding treatment, a multidisciplinary approach is recommended, and pelvic floor physiotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) are considered first line treatment (Bergeron et al., 2020; De Andres et al., 2016; Rosen and Dawson, 2019; Sadownik, 2014, van der Meijden et al., 2017).”

    From Internet-based treatment for vulvodynia (EMBLA) – Study protocol for a randomised controlled study (2021) · cites this paper as Bergeron et al., 2020

  • The care available for vulvodynia may vary depending on local resources.

    “Vulvodynia has a negative impact in women's well-being and psychosexual function (van der Meijden et al., 2017), and the care available may vary depending on local resources (Bergeron et al., 2020).”

    From Internet-based treatment for vulvodynia (EMBLA) – Study protocol for a randomised controlled study (2021) · cites this paper as Bergeron et al., 2020

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Authors
Bergeron, S., Reed, B. D., Wesselmann, U., & Bohm-Starke, N.
Affiliations
  • Université de Montréal (CA)
  • University of Michigan (US)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham (US)
Corresponding author
Bergeron, Sophie
ORCID
Venue
Nature Reviews Disease Primers
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2020-04-30
Volume
6
Issue
1
Pages
36-36
ISSN
2056-676X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1038/s41572-020-0164-2
OpenAlex
W4211104100
Cited by
158
References
220
Citations by year
2026: 32 · 2025: 32 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 31 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 4
FWCI
2.73
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Nature Reviews Disease Primers (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rheumatology › Pelvic floor disorders treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Genital Health and Disease
Keywords
vulvodynia, vulvar pain, chronic pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, autonomic dysfunction, anxiety and depression, child abuse, cognitive behavioral therapy, pelvic floor physiotherapy, medical management, quality of life, economic burden, chronic pain comorbidity, biopsychosocial model
MeSH terms
Humans, Pain, Sexual Behavior, Vulvodynia

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