title: Vulvodynia: Definition, Prevalence, Impact, and Pathophysiological Factors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vulvodynia constitutes a highly prevalent form of chronic genital pain in women, and current information regarding its definition, prevalence, impact, and pathophysiologic factors involved is needed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To update the scientific evidence published in 2010 from the Third International Consultation of Sexual Medicine pertaining to the definition, prevalence, impact, and pathophysiologic factors of women's sexual pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  An expert committee, as part of the Fourth International Consultation of Sexual Medicine, comprised of researchers and clinicians from biological and social science disciplines, reviewed the scientific evidence on the definition, prevalence, impact, and pathophysiologic factors related to chronic genital pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of the definition, prevalence, impact, and pathophysiological factors involved in vulvodynia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vulvodynia is a prevalent and highly impactful genital pain condition. Numerous factors have been implicated in its development and maintenance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  What is becoming increasingly apparent is that it likely represents the end point of different factors that can differ from patient to patient. Longitudinal research is needed to shed light on risk factors involved in the expression of vulvodynia, as well as in potential subgroups of affected patients, in order to develop an empirically supported treatment algorithm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada. Electronic address: caroline.pukall@queensu.ca.
authors.forename: Caroline F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Pukall
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bergeron
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.affiliation: Beyond Basics Physical Therapy, LLC, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kellogg-Spadt
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA;
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bachmann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011594:Psychometrics; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D056650:Vulvodynia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Definition; Dyspareunia; Pathophysiologic Factors; Prevalence; Sexual Pain; Vestibulodynia; Vulvodynia