title: Capsaicin for the treatment of vulvar vestibulitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of local capsaicin cream as an effective treatment for patients with documented vulvar vestibulitis syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review was performed for patients who received a diagnosis of vulvar vestibulitis syndrome that was treated with capsaicin. Patients performed local application of capsaicin 0.025% cream for 20 minutes daily for 12 weeks. A comparison was made between the pre- and posttreatment Kaufman touch test to evaluate discomfort. The Marinoff dyspareunia scale was also used to assess pre- and posttreatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sum of the Kaufman touch test scores before the treatment (13.2 +/- 4.9) compared with the scores after treatment (4.8 +/- 3.8) was statistically improved (P < .001). A significant improvement was also observed at each individual site (P < .001). The Marinoff dyspareunia scale also showed a significant improvement (P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vulvar vestibulitis syndrome that is treated with capsaicin significantly decreases discomfort and allows for more frequent sexual relations.
authors.affiliation: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey/Robert Wood Johnson Medical School-Camden, Cooper University Hospital, USA. steinberg-adam@cooperhealth.edu
authors.forename: Adam C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Steinberg
authors.forename: Ian A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Oyama
authors.forename: Amy E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Rejba
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kellogg-Spadt
authors.forename: Kristene E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Whitmore
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004414:Dyspareunia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014847:Vulvitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D002211:Capsaicin