Vulvar vestibulitis syndrome

Abstract

VVS is currently recognized as one of the leading causes of vulvodynia or chronic vulvar pain. Its cause is unknown, and it is defined by a constellation of signs and symptoms confined to the vulvar vestibule. Hence, there is introital or entry dyspareunia, vestibular erythema of varying degrees, and localized tenderness confined to the vulvar vestibule. It has been found to be associated with subclinical HPV infection; chronic, recurrent candidiasis; and persistent alteration of vaginal pH secretion, and therapy for some of these conditions sometimes leads to amelioration of the symptoms associated with vulvar vestibulitis. The majority of cases, however, are still idiopathic. The more chronic and severe cases are frequently helped by a surgical procedure that results in excision of most of the vestibule and advancement of the vaginal epithelium. Some of the milder cases are known to remit spontaneously, so conservative, supportive management is of the utmost importance.