There are frequent attempts to use surveys to discover what else may correlate with vulvar pain. Many have had problems with recurrent yeast infections. A very large number have reported the pain has intensified when they were on birth control pills and also gets worse before or during their periods. Some have other skin disorders, such as bumps or blisters on the hands and fingers, which might be warts, allergies, or fungal infections and may or may not be related to the bumps and sores in the vulvar area. Bumps may also appear on the upper or lower eyelid or close to the eye.
Some women experience a constant and unchanging level of pain for years.
Others describe their pain as occurring in cycles, with partial or complete remissions, followed by flare-ups. Then, too, there are women with vulvodynia who do NOT have vestibulitis. Many women have reported worsening after being on birth control pills, using antifungal creams, or being on antibiotics. In most, but not all, cases, the additional pain seems to eventually recede when these things are discontinued. Many women have been able to lessen their pain through following the suggestions others have provided.