"Vestibulitis Educational Seminar Trial" Study
Condition: Vulvar Vestibulitis
MeSH terms: Vulvar Vestibulitis
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of an educational seminar series for
      women with vulvar vestibulitis syndrome (VVS).
    

Detailed description: 
      HYPOTHESIS: It is hypothesized that this educational seminar series might be effective in
      reducing the pain experienced and improving sexual response and quality of life of women with
      Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome (VVS) by providing an open forum for discussion of the
      pathology, etiological theories, treatment plans as well as the impact of sexual pain on
      sexual relationships and ways to cope with VVS.

      At Vancouver Hospital, the current waitlist for women with distressing, unremitting genital
      pain is approximately 10 months. Once accepted for management, the diagnosis of VVS is given,
      where applicable, by Dr. Sadownik. Only women with pure VVS and without a compounding skin
      condition are then referred on to the 3-session educational seminars given by Dr. Thomson. By
      the end of the educational series, women have an understanding of current scientific
      literature on etiology and treatment of VVS, and it's interaction with sexual health factors.
      At this point they are referred for individualized treatment of the VVS either by Dr.
      Thomson, Dr. Sadownik or back to their referring physician. This study aims to explore the
      existing VVS Educational Seminars by measuring sexual function, sexual distress, pain levels
      (general pain, genital pain and pain upon sexual activity), psychological well-being
      (depression and anxiety), relationship satisfaction, sexual knowledge and overall quality of
      life at pre- and post seminar. An age-matched control group of women diagnosed with VVS, but
      unable to attend the Seminar series, will complete the measures at the same intervals as the
      treatment group. The use of the control group allows us to accurately evaluate the efficacy
      of the Educational seminars, above and beyond non-specific factors.

      Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome Educational Seminars have been run through the Vulvar Disease
      Clinic at Vancouver Hospital since 2001, however no data has been collected to determine the
      effects of this program. By collecting pre- & post seminar and follow up data, this study
      will allow us to assess the efficacy of the VVS Educational Seminars when compared to a group
      of women suffering from VVS but unable to attend the information seminars. Given that a large
      proportion of the women cannot be treated at Vancouver Hospital and are instead referred back
      to their family physician, the VVS Educational Seminar is a necessary first step in the
      treatment process for ensuring that women receive accurate and timely treatment. It will also
      help treatment providers improve and expand their current treatment practices
    

Intervention name(s): Educational
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): three 1 hour long educational seminars
Observational model: Case-Control
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        women diagnosed with vulvar vestibulitis
      
Keywords: Vulvar vestibulitis; Treatment; Education