Vulvodynia is a chronic type of pain that affects the vulvar area, and occurs without an identifiable cause or visible pathology. There are two subtypes of vulvodynia: provoked vestibulodynia (also referred to as vulvar vestibulitis syndrome), and generalized vulvodynia.

Vulvodynia is classified according to the site of the pain as generalized or localized, and whether the pain occurs provoked, unprovoked, or mixed (Collins et al., 2005). Friedrich (1988) defined provoked vestibulodynia (vulvar vestibulitis) as severe pain upon touch of the vestibule, and erythema surrounding the vestibule or vestibular glands.

Vulvodynia affects about 16% of women in the U.S. (Harlow & Stewart, 2003).  A study from the National Institutes of Health estimates that 13 million women suffer from symptoms of vulvodynia at some point in their lifetime (Harlow & Stewart, 2003). However, these prevalence rates are thought to be under-reported, because up to 30% of women do not seek medical care. If they do seek medical care, their condition is often misdiagnosed, due to inconsistent diagnostic criteria or a lack of knowledge among health care professionals (Ayers et al., 2006).

Once properly diagnosed by your physician, physical therapy treatment can be very helpful.  Treatment may include: vulvar skin care, biofeedback to relax pelvic floor muscles, pain management techniques, including relaxation, manual therapy to soft tissues of the vulvar, abdominal, hip and low back region, modalities for inflammation and pain relief, and strategies for return to intercourse.

Back to Pelvic Pain Syndromes

Back to Painful Intercourse