title: Prevalence and demographic characteristics of vulvodynia in a population-based sample.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of vulvodynia among women in southeast Michigan.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based study of adult women was conducted, using telephone recruitment and completion of a self-administered survey. Weighted estimates of vulvodynia prevalence and characteristics were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over a year, 2542 women were recruited and 2269 (89.3%) completed the self-administered survey. The weighted prevalence of vulvodynia was 8.3% (95% confidence interval, 7.0-9.8) or approximately 101,000 women in the targeted population. Prevalence remained stable through age 70 years and declined thereafter. Among sexually active women, the prevalence was similar at all ages. Of 208 women meeting vulvodynia criteria, 101 (48.6%) had sought treatment, and only 3 (1.4%) had been diagnosed with vulvodynia (unweighted values). Previous vulvodynia symptoms had resolved in 384 women (16.9%) after a mean duration of 12.5 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vulvodynia is common, although rarely diagnosed. Prevalence remains high among sexually active women of any age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1213, USA. barbr@umich.edu
authors.forename: Barbara Diane
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: Siobán Denise
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Harlow
authors.forename: Ananda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sen
authors.forename: Laurie Jo
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Legocki
authors.forename: Rayna Monique
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arato
authors.forename: Hope Katharine
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Haefner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D056650:Vulvodynia / Q000453:epidemiology*