Prevalence of vulvar and vaginal symptoms during pregnancy and the puerperium

Abstract

Objective: To identify the prevalence of vulvar and vaginal symptoms during pregnancy and at 3 months post partum. Methods: A prospective, longitudinal, descriptive study of 103 pregnant women was undertaken in which a self-administered questionnaire was completed at each trimester and 3 months post partum. Retrospective data was collected from 122 women, queried using similar tools, who comprised a nonpregnant control group. Descriptive and comparative statistics were employed. Results: The prevalence of vulvar burning, itching, pain, and vaginal discharge generally increased during pregnancy, and improved postpartum. Dyspareunia increased during pregnancy, but remained elevated post partum. Compared with the historical nonpregnant group (adjusted for age, marital status, education, and smoking), dyspareunia was reported less often in the first trimester (P = 0.03) and more often post partum (P < 0.01). Furthermore, reports of vulvar pain and vaginal discharge were significantly greater during the second and third trimesters. Conclusions: Vulvar and vaginal symptoms are common during pregnancy, and the prevalence of some, but not all, increase during gestation and decrease post partum. © 2009 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.