Anne A. Moore, DNP, APRN, FAANP

Vulvodynia should be on the diagnostic short list.

The prevalence of vulvodynia, or “burning vulva syndrome,” is estimated at between 3% and 18% of women. Assessment and management practices, however, are poorly delineated, and this disorder remains undiagnosed in many women. To quantify its incidence and determine factors that may predict new-onset vulvodynia, researchers surveyed 1786 women aged ≥18 years living in southeastern Michigan. Participants completed a survey that included vulvodynia screening questions and were asked to complete follow-up questionnaires every 6 months for 30 months.

During the study, 4.2 new cases per 100 person-years were reported. Hispanic women reported a higher than average incidence (9.5 per 100 person-years; hazard ratio, 2.04), as did younger women (7.6 per 100 person-years at age 20 vs. 3.3 at age 60). Higher than average rates were also reported in married women and women who had reported symptoms of vulvar pain or dyspareunia in the past. Those at highest risk (11.5 per 100 person-years) were women who reported vulvar pain at screening that failed to meet the criteria for vulvodynia.

Citation(s):

Reed BD et al. Factors associated with vulvodynia incidence. Obstet Gynecol 2014 Feb; 123:225.

Ault KA.Doctor, It Hurts… Obstet Gynecol 2014 Feb; 123:223.