If there is any uncertainty, a biopsy can confirm the diagnosis of these dermatological conditions. According to Dr. Marilynne McKay, head of dermatology at the Emory Center in Atlanta, these disorders respond to treatment with high-potency steroids whereas vulvodynia does not. In Dr. Marinoff's study of his surgery patients, more than eighty percent reported elimination or reduction of pain following the vestibulectomy. Several researchers presented studies on pain including the genetics aspects of pain, psychological consequences of chronic pain, and pharmacologic treatment of visceral pain. Regarding the epidemiology of vulvodynia, little is known about its incidence and prevalence.
Research is needed to identify risk factors.
Randomized, controlled clinical studies should be undertaken using rigorous inclusion and exlusion criteria to obtain a well-defined population. A randomized multicenter study is needed to determine the selection criteria for vulvar vestibulitis patients who may be candidates for surgery. Audiovisual aids to increase medical community awareness should be developed. Background on Vulvodynia Vulvodynia, sometimes referred to as vulvar vestibulitis or pudendal neuralgia, is a painful, yet little understood, chronic gynecological disorder. A patient's symptoms can include burning, itching, and increased sensitivity to touch in the vulvar area.