Thermal and mechanical pain thresholds of women with provoked localized vulvodynia: A pilot study

Abstract

Context: Vulvodynia is a chronic pain condition defined as vulvar pain lasting at least 3 months in the absence of gross anatomic or neurologic findings. Provoked, localized vulvodynia (PLV), a subtype of vulvodynia, is characterized by vestibular pain in response to light touch. The cause of PLV remains largely unknown, and triggering events have yet to be determined. Objective: To evaluate vestibular and peripheral experimental pain thresholds in patients with PLV to further define the somatosensory profile of these patients. Methods: After informed consent was provided, eligible participants completed a questionnaire and underwent quantitative sensory testing at the forearm and posterior vestibule. Detection and pain thresholds to thermal (cold and heat) and mechanical ( pressure) stimuli were measured. Results: Seventeen participants with PLV and 16 control participants were included. Participants in the PLV group scored lower on the patient health questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) compared with those in the control group (P