Vulvar vestibulitis: significant clinical variables and treatment outcome

The subject of vulvar vestibulitis was reviewed in regard to clinical variables that may be associated with this problem as well as the success of available treatment modalities. Questionnaires were returned by 71 patients diagnosed as having vulvar vestibulitis. Identical information was obtained from a comparison group of individuals with no clinical or physical findings suggesting this diagnosis. A history of recurrent candidiasis and previous condyloma acuminatum were the only variables noted more frequently in patients with vestibulitis. Among the patients treated by perineoplasty, 66% reported complete or significant alleviation of vulvar pain; 78% of the women noted a significant decrease in dyspareunia. Of the patients treated with intralesional interferon, six (50%) reported significant improvement in dyspareunia. Vulvar vestibulitis is a puzzling clinical entity whose etiology is not well understood. Perineoplasty still appears to be the treatment of choice in properly selected individuals.