Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Commons^™

Vulvodynia: Making The Diagnosis And Improving Treatment Outcomes, Sophia Campbell

Capstone Showcase

Vulvodynia is an underdiagnosed condition that affects about 25% of women1. Patients report frustration and a lack of knowledge in the medical community regarding their symptoms of vulvar pain. Painful penetration makes performing an internal pelvic exam difficult, and patients may avoid annual gynecological appointments due to fear. It is imperative for providers to understand and implement the correct approach for accurate diagnosis. Once the diagnosis of vulvodynia has been identified, the multimodal treatment plan should be implemented to include pharmacological therapy, referral to physical therapy, and psychotherapy. With continued research and the use of evidence-based practice, the gap in …