Vulvodynia is diagnosed when other causes of vulvar pain, such as active yeast infection, herpes, skin disorders, and bacterial infections are ruled out. Currently there is no cure for vulvodynia. Treatments directed towards symptom relief include drug therapies such as tricyclic antidepressants or anticonvulsants, nerve blocks, interferon, physical therapy, and diet modification. Surgical intervention is an option for some women when more conservative treatments do n ot produce acceptable relief. Psychological techniques such as hypnosis and biofeedback can make a uniquely valuable contribution to treatment.
Warts are benign skin tumors caused by a virus.
When they recur and spread widely, however, they can be extremely troublesome. See chapter 19 for emotional factors and treatment. The treatment of warts is the area where psychological techniques have made the greatest inroads into the mainstream of dermatology. Warts seem to disappear and return spontaneously, but their behavior is often linked to emotional factors. The critical factor is likely the immune system, which keeps the virus in check or allows it to flourish.