Assessment of response to treatment in vulvar vestibulitis syndrome by means of the vulvar algesiometer.
OBJECTIVE
A pilot study was undertaken to investigate the utility of the vulvar algesiometer in correlating symptom improvement with treatment response.


METHODS
Women with a diagnosis of vulvar vestibulitis syndrome attending a specialist vulvar clinic were assessed with the vulvar algesiometer before and after treatment.


RESULTS
The conditions of 25 patients had improved to the point of discharge, and readings from before and after treatment were compared. There was a statistically significant difference in the vulvar algesiometer readings before and after treatment and this improvement was reflected in patient response. Nine patients had no response to treatment and also no significant improvement in vulvar algesiometer score.


CONCLUSIONS
The vulvar algesiometer provides an easy noninvasive means of assessing vestibular tenderness in vulvar vestibulitis syndrome that is well tolerated by the patients and provides a degree of biofeedback for them.
University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.
L J
LJ
Eva
W M
WM
Reid
A B
AB
MacLean
G D
GD
Morrison
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000295:instrumentation; D017288:Pain Threshold; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013577:Syndrome; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*