Thermal and Mechanical Pain Thresholds of Women With Provoked Localized Vulvodynia: A Pilot Study

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. To evaluate vestibular and peripheral experimental pain thresholds in patients with PLV to further define the somatosensory profile of these patients. 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. 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