title: Vulvodynia, a step-wise therapeutic prospective cohort study.
abstract: Vulvodynia is characterised by the presence of vulval allodynia (pain evoked by non-painful stimuli) and vulval dysaesthesias (burning, soreness, rawness, stinging and irritation). We assessed a protocol for the evaluation and management of vulvodynia. The protocol was based on the most recent evidence available. We began a simple evaluation and proceeded to an aggressive one. From the cohort of 74 patients, 69 patients (93.2%) were adherent to the protocol. A total of 25 patients (36.3%) improved after antibiotic therapy: 14 patients (20.4%) had a positive fungal culture and 11 patients (15.9%) had a positive bacterial culture; none with a positive viral culture. Eight patients (11.6%) improved with dietary modification. Ten patients (14.5%) benefitted from tricyclic medications; 13 patients (18.8%) improved after gabapentin therapy; 13 patients (18.8%) did not show improvement of their condition. Some 56 patients (81.2%) manifested an improvement of their symptoms, which allowed them to achieve painless sexual intercourse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio 45409, USA. gary.ventolini@wright.edu
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ventolini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barhan
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003075:Coitus; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D056650:Vulvodynia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult