Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2012 Feb;206(2):170.e1-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2011.08.012. Epub 2011 Aug 22.

Prevalence and demographic characteristics of vulvodynia in a population-based sample

Barbara Diane Reed  1 , Siobán Denise Harlow, Ananda Sen, Laurie Jo Legocki, Rayna Monique Edwards, Nora Arato, Hope Katharine Haefner
Affiliations

Prevalence and demographic characteristics of vulvodynia in a population-based sample

Barbara Diane Reed et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2012 Feb.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of vulvodynia among women in southeast Michigan.

Study design: A population-based study of adult women was conducted, using telephone recruitment and completion of a self-administered survey. Weighted estimates of vulvodynia prevalence and characteristics were determined.

Results: Over a year, 2542 women were recruited and 2269 (89.3%) completed the self-administered survey. The weighted prevalence of vulvodynia was 8.3% (95% confidence interval, 7.0-9.8) or approximately 101,000 women in the targeted population. Prevalence remained stable through age 70 years and declined thereafter. Among sexually active women, the prevalence was similar at all ages. Of 208 women meeting vulvodynia criteria, 101 (48.6%) had sought treatment, and only 3 (1.4%) had been diagnosed with vulvodynia (unweighted values). Previous vulvodynia symptoms had resolved in 384 women (16.9%) after a mean duration of 12.5 years.

Conclusion: Vulvodynia is common, although rarely diagnosed. Prevalence remains high among sexually active women of any age.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

DISCLOSURE: None of the authors have a conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure
Figure
Prevalence of clinical diagnostic groups stratified by 10-year age categories (weighted data).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Moyal-Barracco M, Lynch P. 2003 ISSVD terminology and classification of vulvodynia. A historical perspective. J Reprod Med. 2004;49:772–777. - PubMed
    1. Glazer HI, Ledger WJ. Clinical management of vulvodynia. Rev Gynaecol Pract. 2002;2:83–90.
    1. Reed BD, Crawford S, Couper M, Cave C, Haefner HK. Pain at the vulvar vestibule: a Web-based survey. J Lower Genit Tract Dis. 2004;8:48–57. - PubMed
    1. Lavy RJ, Hynan LS, Haley RW. Prevalence of vulvar pain in an urban, minority population. J Reprod Med. 2007;52:59–62. - PubMed
    1. Harlow BL, Stewart EG. A population-based assessment of chronic unexplained vulvar pain: have we underestimated the prevalence of vulvodynia? J Am Med Wom Assoc. 2003;58:82–88. - PubMed

Publication types