open access

Vol 93, No 11 (2022)
Research paper
Published online: 2021-12-03
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Vulvodynia in prepubertal girls: diagnosis

Jadwiga Wanczyk-Baszak1, Tomasz Paszkowski1, Ewa Baszak-Radomanska2
·
Pubmed: 35072227
·
Ginekol Pol 2022;93(11):867-871.
Affiliations
  1. 3rd Chair and Department of Gynecology, Medical University in Lublin, Poland
  2. Terpa, Lublin, Poland

open access

Vol 93, No 11 (2022)
ORIGINAL PAPERS Gynecology
Published online: 2021-12-03

Abstract

Objectives: To identify specific features of vulvodynia in prepubertal girls, highlight potential triggers and concomitant
diseases, outline diagnostic criteria is neglected problem in adolescent gynecology.

Material and methods: A retrospective study, based on medical records of an outpatient clinic, a cohort of 54 vulvodynia cases was evaluated, aged 3–10 years, seen between January 2016 and July 2018.

Results: The study cohort presented with pain (61%), sometimes aggravated at night, pruritus (44%) and a range of
other varied and unusual vulvar complaints (26%). Concomitant diseases and/or psychological problems were present in
61% of cases. Overactive pelvic muscles accompanying symptoms like urological or gastrological problems were noted
in half of children. Several potential triggers were identified in a third of the cases that were emotionally stressful to
the children. From the commencement of symptoms, 93% of the girls have consulted more than one doctor with 43%
seeing more than three doctors, without receiving a diagnosis of vulvodynia.

Conclusions: A diagnosis of vulvodynia needs to be considered in the absence of vulva pathology with wide range of
vulvar pain, pruritus and discomfort. All persistent or recurrent vulvar discomfort must be taken into consideration as
a vulvodynia symptom, also various non-specific, worrisome complaints. Comorbid urological and gastrological symptoms associated with overactive pelvic muscles should not be overlooked. Chronic pain can be triggered by the psychological distress in some prepubertal girls. Proper diagnosis may prevent long-term negative sequelae, what emphasizes the need for professional education of healthcare providers in adolescent vulvar pain and discomfort.

Abstract

Objectives: To identify specific features of vulvodynia in prepubertal girls, highlight potential triggers and concomitant
diseases, outline diagnostic criteria is neglected problem in adolescent gynecology.

Material and methods: A retrospective study, based on medical records of an outpatient clinic, a cohort of 54 vulvodynia cases was evaluated, aged 3–10 years, seen between January 2016 and July 2018.

Results: The study cohort presented with pain (61%), sometimes aggravated at night, pruritus (44%) and a range of
other varied and unusual vulvar complaints (26%). Concomitant diseases and/or psychological problems were present in
61% of cases. Overactive pelvic muscles accompanying symptoms like urological or gastrological problems were noted
in half of children. Several potential triggers were identified in a third of the cases that were emotionally stressful to
the children. From the commencement of symptoms, 93% of the girls have consulted more than one doctor with 43%
seeing more than three doctors, without receiving a diagnosis of vulvodynia.

Conclusions: A diagnosis of vulvodynia needs to be considered in the absence of vulva pathology with wide range of
vulvar pain, pruritus and discomfort. All persistent or recurrent vulvar discomfort must be taken into consideration as
a vulvodynia symptom, also various non-specific, worrisome complaints. Comorbid urological and gastrological symptoms associated with overactive pelvic muscles should not be overlooked. Chronic pain can be triggered by the psychological distress in some prepubertal girls. Proper diagnosis may prevent long-term negative sequelae, what emphasizes the need for professional education of healthcare providers in adolescent vulvar pain and discomfort.

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Keywords

prepubertal; vulvar pain; vulvodynia

About this article
Title

Vulvodynia in prepubertal girls: diagnosis

Journal

Ginekologia Polska

Issue

Vol 93, No 11 (2022)

Article type

Research paper

Pages

867-871

Published online

2021-12-03

Page views

4278

Article views/downloads

1848

DOI

10.5603/GP.a2021.0190

Pubmed

35072227

Bibliographic record

Ginekol Pol 2022;93(11):867-871.

Keywords

prepubertal
vulvar pain
vulvodynia

Authors

Jadwiga Wanczyk-Baszak
Tomasz Paszkowski
Ewa Baszak-Radomanska

References (20)
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