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Patel SE, Chesnut SR. Relationships Among Pelvic Congestion Syndrome Pain, Daily Activities, and Quality of Life. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2024:S0884-2175(24)00043-1. [PMID: 38599242 DOI: 10.1016/j.jogn.2024.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine women's experiences of pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) pain. DESIGN Descriptive, cross-sectional. SETTING Online questionnaires in a Facebook PCS support group. PARTICIPANTS Convenience sample of 143 women who self-identified as being diagnosed with PCS. METHODS We recruited women through a social media support group and invited them to participate in a self-reported questionnaire. We collected demographic information and used the McGill Pain Questionnaire to elicit responses related to pain quality, pain intensity, quality of life, and satisfaction with health care. We analyzed data using descriptive statistics and correlation coefficients. RESULTS Respondents characterized their PCS pain as exhausting, stabbing, sharp, shooting, and tender. Respondents indicated that 19 of 24 daily activities increased PCS pain, whereas only 5 reduced PCS pain. Pain intensity was negatively related to the quality of life, health satisfaction, sleep, and sexual relationships. CONCLUSION Chronic pelvic pain from PCS severely affected quality of life among respondents. These findings suggest a difference in the presentation of PCS from historical pain depictions and further highlight the need to identify pain profiles to increase timely and precise diagnosis. Further research is needed to evaluate interventions to increase the quality of life for women with PCS.
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Bekauri T, Fischer S, Honn KV, Maddipati KR, Love T, Little C, Wood RW, Bonham AD, Linder MA, Yule DI, Emanuelle C, Falsetta ML. Inflammation, lipid dysregulation, and transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 4 signaling perpetuate chronic vulvar pain. Pain 2024; 165:820-837. [PMID: 37889581 PMCID: PMC10949218 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Localized provoked vulvodynia is characterized by chronic vulvar pain that disrupts every aspect of the patient's life. Pain is localized to the vulvar vestibule, a specialized ring of tissue immediately surrounding the vaginal opening involved in immune defense. In this article, we show inflammation is the critical first step necessary for the generation of pain signals in the vulva. Inflammatory stimuli alone or combined with the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 4 (TRPV4) agonist 4α-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate stimulate calcium flux into vulvar fibroblast cells. Activity is blocked by the TRPV4 antagonist HC067047, denoting specificity to TRPV4. Using lipidomics, we found pro-resolving lipids in the vulvar vestibule were dysregulated, characterized by a reduction in pro-resolving mediators and heightened production of inflammatory mediators. We demonstrate specialized pro-resolving mediators represent a potential new therapy for vulvar pain, acting on 2 key parts of the disease mechanism by limiting inflammation and acutely inhibiting TRPV4 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamari Bekauri
- OB/GYN Research Division, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Sarah Fischer
- OB/GYN Research Division, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Kenneth V. Honn
- Pathology Department, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
- Lipidomics Core Facility and Bioactive Lipids Research Program, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Krishna Rao Maddipati
- Pathology Department, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
- Lipidomics Core Facility and Bioactive Lipids Research Program, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Tanzy Love
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Chantelle Little
- OB/GYN Research Division, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Ronald W. Wood
- OB/GYN Research Division, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Adrienne D. Bonham
- OB/GYN Department, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Mitchell A. Linder
- OB/GYN Research Division, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - David I. Yule
- Pharmacology and Physiology Department, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Chrysilla Emanuelle
- Pharmacology and Physiology Department, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Megan L. Falsetta
- OB/GYN Research Division, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
- Pharmacology and Physiology Department, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
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Erden S, Yikar SK, Doğan SD, Lucero RJ, Yıldız KS, Gezer S, Nazik E, Arslan S, Yao Y, Wilkie DJ. Validation of the tablet-based Turkish-PAINReportIt® for lung cancer patients after thoracotomy in Turkey. Appl Nurs Res 2023; 70:151673. [PMID: 36933901 PMCID: PMC10257141 DOI: 10.1016/j.apnr.2023.151673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digital pain assessment is advantageous and timely for healthcare priorities in Turkey. However, a multi-dimensional, tablet-based pain assessment tool is not available in the Turkish language. PURPOSE To validate the Turkish-PAINReportIt® as a multi-dimensional measure of post-thoracotomy pain. METHODS In the first of a two-phased study, 32 Turkish patients (mean age 47.8 ± 15.6 years, 72 % male) participated in individual cognitive interviews as they completed the tablet-based Turkish-PAINReportIt® once during the first four days post-thoracotomy, and 8 clinicians participated in a focus group discussion of implementation barriers. In the second phase, 80 Turkish patients (mean age 59.0 ± 12.7 years, 80 % male) completed the Turkish-PAINReportIt® preoperatively, on postoperative days 1-4, and at the two-week post-operative follow-up visit. RESULTS Patients generally interpreted accurately the Turkish-PAINReportIt® instructions and items. We eliminated some items unnecessary for daily assessment based on focus-group suggestions. In the second study phase, pain scores (intensity, quality, pattern) were low pre-thoracotomy for lung cancer and high postoperatively high on day 1, decreasing on days 2, 3 and 4, and back down to pre-surgical levels at 2-weeks. Over time, pain intensity decreased from post-operative day 1 to post-operative day 4 (p < .001) and from post-operative day 1 to post-operative week 2 (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS The formative research supported proof of concept and informed the longitudinal study. Findings showed strong validity of the Turkish-PAINReportIt® to detect reduced pain over time as healing occurs after thoracotomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sevilay Erden
- Department of Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey.
| | - Seda Karacay Yikar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologic Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey
| | - Sevgi Deniz Doğan
- Uluborlu Selahattin Karasoy Vocational School, Isparta University of Applied Sciences, Isparta, Turkey
| | - Robert J Lucero
- University of California, Los Angeles, School of Nursing, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America.
| | - Kardelen Simal Yıldız
- University of Central Florida Orlando, FLORIDA Biomedical Sciences, FL, ABD, United States of America
| | - Suat Gezer
- Chest Surgery, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey
| | - Evsen Nazik
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologic Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey
| | - Sevban Arslan
- Department of Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey
| | - Yingwei Yao
- Department of Biobehavioral Nursing Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
| | - Diana J Wilkie
- Department of Biobehavioral Nursing Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
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Schlaeger JM, Glayzer JE, Villegas‐Downs M, Li H, Glayzer EJ, He Y, Takayama M, Yajima H, Takakura N, Kobak WH, McFarlin BL. Evaluation and Treatment of Vulvodynia: State of the Science. J Midwifery Womens Health 2023; 68:9-34. [PMID: 36533637 PMCID: PMC10107324 DOI: 10.1111/jmwh.13456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Vulvodynia affects 7% of American women, yet clinicians often lack awareness of its presentation. It is underdiagnosed and often misdiagnosed as vaginitis. The etiology of vulvodynia remains unknown, making it difficult to identify or develop effective treatment methods. The purpose of this article is to (1) review the presentation and evaluation of vulvodynia, (2) review the research on vulvodynia treatments, and (3) aid the clinician in the selection of vulvodynia treatment methods. The level of evidence to support vulvodynia treatment varies from case series to randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Oral desipramine with 5% lidocaine cream, intravaginal diazepam tablets with intravaginal transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), botulinum toxin type A 50 units, enoxaparin sodium subcutaneous injections, intravaginal TENS (as a single therapy), multimodal physical therapy, overnight 5% lidocaine ointment, and acupuncture had the highest level of evidence with at least one RCT or comparative effectiveness trial. Pre to posttest reduction in vulvar pain and/or dyspareunia in non-RCT studies included studies of gabapentin cream, amitriptyline cream, amitriptyline with baclofen cream, up to 6 weeks' oral itraconazole therapy, multimodal physical therapy, vaginal dilators, electromyography biofeedback, hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, cold knife vestibulectomy, and laser therapy. There is a lack of rigorous RCTs with large sample sizes for the treatment of vulvodynia, rendering it difficult to determine efficacy of most treatment methods. Clinicians will be guided in the selection of best treatments for vulvodynia that have the highest level of evidence and are least invasive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith M. Schlaeger
- Department of Human Development Nursing ScienceUniversity of Illinois Chicago College of NursingChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Jennifer E. Glayzer
- Department of Human Development Nursing ScienceUniversity of Illinois Chicago College of NursingChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Michelle Villegas‐Downs
- Department of Human Development Nursing ScienceUniversity of Illinois Chicago College of NursingChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Hongjin Li
- Department of Human Development Nursing ScienceUniversity of Illinois Chicago College of NursingChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Edward J. Glayzer
- Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social WorkUniversity of Dayton College of Arts and SciencesDaytonOhioUSA
| | - Ying He
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesOklahoma State UniversityStillwaterOklahomaUSA
| | - Miho Takayama
- Department of Acupuncture and MoxibustionTokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health SciencesTokyoJapan
| | - Hiroyoshi Yajima
- Department of Acupuncture and MoxibustionTokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health SciencesTokyoJapan
| | - Nobuari Takakura
- Department of Acupuncture and MoxibustionTokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health SciencesTokyoJapan
| | - William H. Kobak
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Illinois Chicago College of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Barbara L. McFarlin
- Department of Human Development Nursing ScienceUniversity of Illinois Chicago College of NursingChicagoIllinoisUSA
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Yessick LR, Gauvin S, Salomons TV, Pukall CF. Pain Characteristics, Sexual Script Flexibility, and Penetration Control Cognitions in Those Experiencing Anodyspareunia. PSYCHOLOGY & SEXUALITY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/19419899.2022.2118069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Stéphanie Gauvin
- Department of Psychology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tim V. Salomons
- Department of Psychology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Telisnor G, Garg R, Glayzer JE, Kobak WH, Kiros GE, Yao Y, Wilkie DJ, Schlaeger JM. Image-based documentation of vulvodynia pain location. Pain Manag 2022; 12:417-424. [PMID: 35060761 PMCID: PMC8981421 DOI: 10.2217/pmt-2021-0110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims: Better documentation of vulvar pain is needed. We examined pain locations marked on general body and genital specific outlines among women with vulvodynia. Methods: 62 women (mean age 32.1 ± 9.5 years) with vulvodynia marked their pain on a digital genital specific outline (22 segments) and 59 of those women also marked their pain on a digital general body outline (48 segments). We used ImageJ software to determine body surface area (BSA) for each outline. Results: On the general body outline, 24/48 segments were marked; 22/22 segments were marked on the genital specific outline. There was a moderate correlation (r = 0.43; p = 0.001) between the BSA marked on the general body outline and the BSA marked on the genital area outline. Conclusions: Findings support concurrent validity of the BSA as a measure of pain location using either outline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guettchina Telisnor
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Nursing Science, University of Florida College of Nursing, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Rishabh Garg
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Nursing Science, University of Florida College of Nursing, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Jennifer E Glayzer
- Department of Human Development Nursing Science, University of Illinois Chicago College of Nursing, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - William H Kobak
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Illinois Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Gebre-Egziabher Kiros
- College of Pharmacy, Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
| | - Yingwei Yao
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Nursing Science, University of Florida College of Nursing, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Diana J Wilkie
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Nursing Science, University of Florida College of Nursing, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Judith M Schlaeger
- Department of Human Development Nursing Science, University of Illinois Chicago College of Nursing, Chicago, IL 60612, USA,Author for correspondence: Tel.: +1 312 413 4669;
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Glayzer JE, McFarlin BL, Castori M, Suarez ML, Meinel MC, Kobak WH, Steffen AD, Schlaeger JM. High rate of dyspareunia and probable vulvodynia in Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and hypermobility spectrum disorders: An online survey. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART C-SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2021; 187:599-608. [PMID: 34747110 PMCID: PMC8665058 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Vulvodynia is debilitating vulvar pain accompanied by dyspareunia (pain with sexual intercourse). Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) may represent a predisposing factor for vulvodynia given a high rate of dyspareunia in these conditions. We conducted an online survey of women with EDS or HSD to assess rates of dyspareunia and estimate rates of vulvodynia, report rates of comorbid conditions common to EDS or HSD and vulvodynia, and examine rates of conditions contributing to dyspareunia in women with EDS or HSD. Women with EDS or HSD (N = 1,146) recruited via social media were 38.2 ± 11.5 years old, primarily White (94.4%), and resided in the United States (78.5%). 63.7% of participants reported dyspareunia and 50% screened positive for vulvodynia. The rate of comorbid conditions common to EDS or HSD and vulvodynia were: irritable bowel syndrome, 6.5%; fibromyalgia, 40.0%; temporomandibular joint dysfunction, 56.4%; migraine, 6.7%; interstitial cystitis, 1.7%; and mast cell activation syndrome, 10.2%. Participants reporting dyspareunia also reported ovarian cysts, fibroids, or abdominal or pelvic scars, 47.5%; endometriosis, 26.5%; and genital lacerations, 19.3%. Women with EDS or HSD may have a higher rate of vulvodynia (50.0%) than women in the U.S. population at large (8%) and should be assessed for dyspareunia and vulvodynia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Glayzer
- Department of Human Development Nursing Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Barbara L McFarlin
- Department of Human Development Nursing Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Marco Castori
- Division of Medical Genetics, Fondazione IRCCS-Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Marie L Suarez
- Department of Human Development Nursing Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Monya C Meinel
- Department of Human Development Nursing Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - William H Kobak
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Alana D Steffen
- Department of Population Health Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Judith M Schlaeger
- Department of Human Development Nursing Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Rangappa S, Shankar VK, Jo S, Repka MA, Murthy SN. Chemotherapeutic Agent-Induced Vulvodynia, an Experimental Model. AAPS PharmSciTech 2021; 22:95. [PMID: 33686480 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-021-01969-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Vulvodynia is a chronic clinical condition associated with vulvar pain that can impair the sexual, social, and psychological life of women. There is a need for more research to develop novel strategies and therapies for the treatment of vulvodynia. Vulvodynia in experimental animal models induced via infections, allergens, and diabetes are tedious and with lessor induction rate. The objective of the study was to explore the possibility of inducing vulvodynia using a chemotherapeutic agent in a rodent model. Paclitaxel is commonly used in treating breast and ovarian cancer, whose dose-limiting side effect is peripheral neuropathy. Studies have shown that peripheral neuropathy is one of the etiologies for vulvodynia. Following paclitaxel administration (2 mg/kg i.p.), the intensity of vulvar hypersensitivity was assessed using a series of von Frey filaments (0.008 to 1 g) to ensure the induction of vulvodynia. Vulvodynia was induced from day 2 and was well sustained for 11 days. Furthermore, the induced vulvodynia was validated by investigating the potentiation of a flinch response threshold, upon topical application and systemic administration of gabapentin, a commonly used medication for treating neuropathic pain. The results demonstrate that vulvodynia was induced due to administration of paclitaxel. The fact that chemotherapeutic agent-induced vulvodynia was responsive to topical and parenterally administered gabapentin provides validity to the model. The study establishes a new, relatively simple and reliable animal model for screening drug molecules for vulvar hypersensitivity.
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Rosen NO, Bergeron S, Pukall CF. Recommendations for the Study of Vulvar Pain in Women, Part 1: Review of Assessment Tools. J Sex Med 2020; 17:180-194. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Schlaeger JM, Pauls HA, Powell-Roach KL, Thornton PD, Hartmann D, Suarez ML, Kobak WH, Hughes TL, Steffen AD, Patil CL. Vulvodynia, "A Really Great Torturer": A Mixed Methods Pilot Study Examining Pain Experiences and Drug/Non-drug Pain Relief Strategies. J Sex Med 2019; 16:1255-1263. [PMID: 31204266 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women with vulvodynia, a chronic pain condition, experience vulvar pain and dyspareunia. Few studies examine the range and combination of treatment strategies that women are actually using to reduce vulvodynia. AIM To describe pain experiences and pain relief strategies of women with vulvodynia. METHODS Convenience sample, 60 women with vulvodynia (median age 32.5 [interquartile range {IQR} 8.5] years; 50 white, 10 racial/ethnic minorities) completed PAINReportIt and reported use of drugs and alcohol and responded to open-ended questions. Univariate descriptive statistics and bivariate inferential tests were used to describe average pain intensity scores, alcohol use, smoking, number of pain relief strategies, and their associations. Women's open-ended responses about their pain experiences and drug and non-drug pain relief strategies (NDPRS) were analyzed for patterns. OUTCOMES Our mixed methods analysis connected data from pain measures, prescribed treatments and self-reported behaviors with women's free responses. This enabled nuanced insights into women's vulvodynia pain experiences. RESULTS Women's descriptions of their pain and suffering aligned with their reported severe pain and attempts to control their pain, with a median pain intensity of 6.7 (IQR 2.0) despite use of adjuvant drugs (median 2.0 [IQR 2.0]), and opioids (median 1.0 [IQR 2.0]). 36 women (60%) used alcohol to lessen their pain. 26 women (43%) listed combining analgesics and alcohol to relieve their pain. 30 women (50%) smoked cigarettes. 54 women (90%) used ≥1 NDPRS. The mean number of NDPRS used was 2.1 ± 1.3 (range 0-6). The 5 most common NDPRS from women's comments were herbal medicine (40%), acupuncture (27%), massage (22%), hypnosis (15%), and mental healthcare (13%). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Severe pain in women with vulvodynia may be a clinical indicator of those at higher risk of combining prescription pain medications with alcohol, which are all central nervous system depressants and may potentiate overdose. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS This pilot study demonstrated that the mixed methods approach to help understand the complexity of vulvodynia was feasible. We identified data showing a reliance on a high-risk mix of prescriptions and alcohol to reduce vulvodynia pain and a high prevalence of cigarette smoking. However, as a pilot study, these results are considered preliminary; the sample may not be representative. Perhaps only women at the extreme end of the pain continuum participated, or women took the survey twice because identifiers were not collected. CONCLUSION Despite attempts to reduce pain using multiple therapies, including alcohol, women's vulvodynia pain is severe and not controlled. Schlaeger JM, Pauls HA, Powell-Roach KL, et al. Vulvodynia, "A Really Great Torturer": A Mixed Methods Pilot Study Examining Pain Experiences and Drug/Non-drug Pain Relief Strategies. J Sex Med 2019;16:1255-1263.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith M Schlaeger
- University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing, Department of Women, Children and Family Health Science, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Heather A Pauls
- University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing, Office of Research Facilitation, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Keesha L Powell-Roach
- University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing, Department of Biobehavioral Health Science, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Patrick D Thornton
- University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing, Department of Women, Children and Family Health Science, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Dee Hartmann
- Dee Hartmann Physical Therapy, Effingham, IL, USA
| | - Marie L Suarez
- University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing, Department of Women, Children and Family Health Science, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - William H Kobak
- University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tonda L Hughes
- Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alana D Steffen
- University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing, Department of Health Systems Science, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Crystal L Patil
- University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing, Department of Women, Children and Family Health Science, Chicago, IL, USA
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