Vulvodynia in adolescents: presentation, diagnosis and treatment options

Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology
Judith E Hersh

Abstract

Vulvodynia in adults is a significant source of genital and sexual pain with far reaching negative repercussions. Well designed studies with sufficient power in adults are limited and there are even fewer in adolescents. This review will help the clinician understand, diagnose and treat vulvodynia in adolescents based on current knowledge. Although research on vulvodynia in adolescents is lacking, studies suggest that it not only exists but also may negatively impact an adolescent's medical and sexual health. This review will look at both historical approaches to vulvodynia, as well as more current approaches. It is important to note that no treatment modalities have been specifically approved for use in vulvodynia. Vulvodynia in women is known to have significant impact on general health and sexual wellbeing. How early vulvodynia presents is unknown, but it appears that in at least some cases, it can be found in adolescents. Providers of adolescent care should have knowledge of this pain disorder so that they may appropriately diagnose and manage this multifactorial problem.

References

Dec 11, 1999·Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation·N Bohm-StarkeE Rylander
Apr 23, 2002·American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·Stefan GerberSteven S Witkin
Jul 27, 2002·American Journal of Epidemiology·Céline BouchardCaty Blanchette
Jun 6, 2003·The British Journal of Dermatology·P TympanidisP Dowd
Jul 2, 2004·Obstetrics and Gynecology·Jutta GieseckeRichard H Gracely
Jul 14, 2004·Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation·Jacob BornsteinEdmund Sabo
Oct 7, 2004·American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·Oksana BabulaSteven S Witkin
Apr 21, 2005·American Journal of Epidemiology·Bernard L Harlow, Elizabeth Gunther Stewart
May 6, 2005·Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease·Barbara D ReedHope K Haefner
Feb 20, 2007·American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·Lauren D ArnoldGeorge G Rhoads
Aug 2, 2008·Obstetrics and Gynecology·Barbara D ReedDaniel W Gorenflo
Feb 12, 2009·The Journal of Sexual Medicine·Tina Landry, Sophie Bergeron
Aug 27, 2010·Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology·John Jarrell
Feb 24, 2012·Current Medical Research and Opinion·Yiqiong XieCrystal Dade
Aug 14, 2013·BJOG : an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology·B D ReedA Sen
Oct 2, 2013·American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·Bernard L HarlowRichard F MacLehose
Dec 19, 2013·The Journal of Sexual Medicine·Mélanie MorinYitzchak M Binik
Sep 5, 2014·The Journal of Sexual Medicine·Andrew T GoldsteinIrwin Goldstein
Feb 17, 2015·American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·Megan L FalsettaRichard P Phipps
Apr 6, 2016·The Journal of Sexual Medicine·Andrew T GoldsteinSusan Kellogg-Spadt
May 26, 2016·Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease·Dimitrios PapoutsisBarbara D Reed
Jun 21, 2016·The Journal of Adolescent Health : Official Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine·Lucia F O'SullivanJason Fletcher
Oct 30, 2016·The Journal of Pain : Official Journal of the American Pain Society·Barbara D ReedAnanda Sen
Dec 19, 2016·American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·Kathryn E FlynnKevin P Weinfurt
Mar 28, 2017·Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal D'obstétrique Et Gynécologie Du Canada : JOGC·Emma E DargieCaroline F Pukall
Aug 6, 2017·Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America·Amy L Stenson
Oct 27, 2017·Journal of Pain Research·Serena Corsini-MuntNatalie O Rosen
Dec 22, 2017·Musculoskeletal Science & Practice·Sinéad DufourCarolyn Vandyken
May 10, 2018·Obstetrics and Gynecology·Candace S BrownUNKNOWN Gabapentin (GABA) Study Group

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health
Kim J Cox, Cynthia E Neville
The Journal of Reproductive Medicine
Graeme J Dennerstein
Women's Health
Caroline F PukallSusan M Chamberlain
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved