BACKGROUND: An estimated 8.3%-16% of @entity1 experience @entity15231 discomfort during their lifetime. Frequently these @entity1 report provoked @entity158 on contact or with attempted intercourse, commonly referred to as @entity2411 ( @entity2411 ). Despite the burden of this condition, little is known about its potential etiologies including @entity3087 and mucosal components. This knowledge would be beneficial in developing targeted therapies including physical therapy. OBJECTIVE: To explore the relative contribution of mucosal versus @entity925 sensitivity on @entity158 report from intercourse among @entity1 with @entity2411 . DESIGN: In this proof of concept study, 54 @entity1 with @entity2411 underwent a structured examination assessing mucosal and pelvic muscle sensitivity. METHODS: We examined three mucosal sites in the upper and lower vestibule. @entity1 were asked to rate their @entity158 on @entity2708 swab palpation of the mucosa using a 10-point visual analog scale. @entity925 was assessed using transvaginal application of pressure on right and @entity1002 , and the perineal muscle complex. The Gracely @entity158 scale (0-100) was used to assess the severity of @entity158 with intercourse, with @entity1 rating the lowest, average, and @entity158 levels; a 100 rating the highest level of @entity158 . RESULTS: The lower vestibule's mucosa 5.81 (standard deviation =2.83) was significantly more sensitive than the upper vestibule 2.52 (standard deviation =2.6) (P<0.01) on exam. However, mucosal sensitivity was not associated with intercourse @entity158 , while muscle sensitivity was moderately associated with both average and highest intensity of intercourse @entity158 (r=-0.46, P=0.01 and r=-0.42, P=0.02), respectively. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study suggests that mucosal measures alone may not sufficiently capture the spectrum of clinical @entity158 report in @entity1 with @entity2411 , which is consistent with the empirical success of physical therapy in this population.

Mucosal versus @entity925 sensitivity in XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['women', 'Patients', 'patients'] @entity3087 :: ('MESH:D059952', 'Disease') :: ['pelvic floor muscular dysfunction'] @entity2708 :: ('3635', 'Species') :: ['cotton'] @entity2411 :: ('MESH:D056650', 'Disease') :: ['PVD', 'provoked vestibulodynia'] @entity15231 :: ('MESH:D014848', 'Disease') :: ['vulvovaginal'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['pain', 'highest pain'] @entity925 :: ('MESH:D063806', 'Disease') :: ['muscle pain', 'Muscle pain'] @entity1002 :: ('MESH:D018487', 'Disease') :: ['left puborectalis']
@entity2411 :: (MESH:D056650,Disease) :: ['provoked vestibulodynia']
