title: A qualitative study of women with vulvodynia: I. The journey into treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate women's experiences of accessing help and treatment for vulvodynia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women who had participated in a vulvar pain management program were evaluated in a retrospective, qualitative, in-depth interview study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The women described their distressing symptoms of vulvodynia and their previous experiences of seeking help. The women thought that the delay to diagnosis contributed to the severity of their symptoms and that achieving a diagnosis was the first step on a path toward the acceptance of a chronic condition and a commitment to a management program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vulvodynia is poorly recognized, and the delay to diagnosis adversely affects patients, exacerbating the severity of their symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Watford Sexual Health Centre and Department of Physiotherapy, West Hertfordshire Hospitals National Health Service Trust, and Centre for Research in Primary and Community Care, University of Hertfordshire, Watford, UK. ann.buchan@whht.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buchan
authors.forename: Pat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Munday
authors.forename: Gill
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ravenhill
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wiggs
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brooks
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004414:Dyspareunia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D059408:Pain Management; D013997:Time Factors; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy