Vulvar Vibration Therapy For Vulvodynia And Dyspareunia

Vulvar Vibration Therapy for Vulvodynia and Dyspareunia Mary Ellen Wechter, MD, MPH, Denniz Zolnoun, MD, MPH, Sawsan As-Sanie, MD, MPH, Georgine Lamvu, MD, MPH, John Steege, MD Objective: Vibration has been shown to reduce pain in certain chronic pain disorders. This study aimed to assess the acceptability and perceived effectiveness of self-administered Vulvar Vibration Therapy (VVT) as a novel treatment for vulvar pain or entry dyspareunia. Methods: This was an observational retrospective study of 49 consecutive women who used VVT for vulvar pain or entry dyspareunia between July 2004 and August 2005 at the University of North Carolina, Pelvic Pain Clinic. Participants completed a mailed questionnaire assessing the acceptability and perceived effectiveness of this novel therapy. Results: The questionnaire was sent to 69 eligible women. Among 52 responders, 49 provided data suitable for analysis. In general, participants were young (median 30 years old, range 19-68), white (86%), married (76%), and educated (86% with college degrees). Median duration of vulvodynia and dyspareunia was 2 and 3 years, respectively. Seventy-eight percent had previously failed at least one other treatment. Median treatment duration with VVT was five months (range 1-18) and was introduced after topical therapy, generally consisting of estrogen-containing ointments. Nearly half of our cohort reported pain during VVT and half found this treatment embarrassing. The majority (70%) of participants, however, found VVT useful in alleviating pain during intercourse. Over 80% reported overall satisfaction and willingness to refer patients with similar complaints. Ninety percent rated VVT as affordable and easy. No complications were noted. Conclusions: VVT is a novel treatment for both vulvodynia and entry dyspareunia which has provided subjective relief when other therapies failed. VVT is safe, inexpensive, and appears acceptable to the majority of patients. Further study


Conflict of Interest: None disclosed
Financial Support/Funding: None disclosed
Recorded: Sydney, Australia, April 2007