(106) Hormonally-Mediated Vestibulodynia: A Chart Review
Authors: Drian A , Trocha M , Goldstein S , Goldstein I 
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The borders of the vestibule are Hart’s line laterally, hymen medially, frenulum of the clitoris anteriorly, and fourchette posteriorly. Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is characterized by severe burning pain in response to pressure localized to the vestibule. Numerous factors may negatively affect the vestibule causing PVD such as hormonal changes, infections, trauma, exaggerated immunologic or inflammatory responses, dermatologic conditions, high-tone pelvic floor dysfunction, pudendal neuropathy, and sacral radiculopathy. PVD specifically associated with hormonal changes in pre-menopausal women has been termed hormonally mediated vestibulodynia (HMV). Dense labeling of androgen receptors has been noted in the germinal layer of the vestibular epithelium and mucinous minor vestibular glands, implying a critical role of testosterone in vestibular health. Low calculated free testosterone caused by elevated sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in pre-menopausal women using combined hormonal contraception may thus be harmful to the vestibular epithelium and minor vestibular glands, resulting in HMV. In HMV, vulvoscopy shows diffuse vestibular tenderness of the entire vestibule, the ostia of the minor vestibular glands are frequently erythematous (Fig 1) and blood testing is consistent with a low calculated free testosterone.

Objective

We describe the variation in etiologies for HMV and emphasize the importance of measuring total testosterone and SHBG to monitor calculated free testosterone levels in patients with HMV.

Methods

This is a retrospective chart review of premenopausal patients presenting to a clinic with entrance dyspareunia who were diagnosed with HMV, and whose symptoms were alleviated by treatment. Inclusion criteria were as follows: premenopausal females with initial testosterone and SHBG blood values below the reference range, initial vulvoscopy findings significant for vestibulodynia, follow-up testosterone and SHBG approaching the reference range, and follow-up vulvoscopies demonstrating a relief from symptoms.

Results

A total of 9 patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 32 years old, with a range of 22 years old to 39 years old. Presenting complaints in addition to dyspareunia (n=9) included recurrent irritative bladder voiding symptoms without positive urine culture (n=3) and pelvic pain (n=4). Vulvoscopic examination including cotton-tipped swab testing of the vestibule revealed signs of vestibular hypersensitivity with pain ranging from 1 to 9 in all 7 regions of the vestibule tested. Patients had histories of having taken combined hormonal contraceptives (n=6), isotretinoin (n=1), spironolactone (n=1) and/or hormonal treatment for breast cancer (n=1), all of which can decrease calculated free testosterone. All patients were treated with systemic testosterone and compounded estradiol/testosterone cream to be applied daily to the vestibule. On follow-up blood testing, all patients had calculated free testosterone values approaching 0.6-0.8 ng/dl, established by Guay et al. as the optimum range. All patients reported significantly decreased dyspareunia and significant relief of other bothersome symptoms, especially bladder symptoms.

Conclusions

This chart review illustrates a variety of etiologies associated with low calculated free testosterone and the diagnosis of HMV. This data emphasizes the importance of calculating free testosterone and performing vulvoscopy to establish a diagnosis in pre-menopausal patients with entrance dyspareunia. Additionally, this chart review demonstrates the efficacy of systemic testosterone and local vestibular androgen/estradiol therapies in ameliorating vestibular pain and associated symptoms in patients with HMV.

Disclosure

No