Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2025
Urinary Bladder Distention Evoked Visceromotor Responses as a Model for Bladder Pain in Mice
Published on: April 27, 2014
The association between vulvodynia and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: A systematic review
Sara Bosio1, Silvia Perossini2,3, Marco Torella4
1ASST Franciacorta, Mellino Mellini Hospital, Chiari, Italy.
Background:
Vulvodynia (VVD) is a debilitating chronic vulvar pain significantly affecting patients' quality of life. Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a chronic and complex illness characterized by an unpleasant sensation related to the filling of the bladder and it strongly impacts patients' lives. The exact mechanisms of the two syndromes remain unknown, but there is an overlap between suspected pathophysiologies.
Objective:
To present an overview of the current research on the association between VVD and IC/BPS.
Search Strategy:
A systematic search of three electronic databases was conducted. Studies examining the correlation between VVD and IC/BPS with male and female patients aged over 18 years were included.
Selection Criteria:
Studies assessing the coexistence of VVD and IC/BPS were included. Reviews, letters to the editor, conference abstracts, book chapters, guidelines, Cochrane reviews, and expert opinions were excluded.
Data Collection And Analysis:
Two reviewers screened the studies for eligibility. Eligible studies were screened for quality.
Main Results:
A total of 13 studies were included in the final review. Among them, 11 presented a positive association between the two syndromes. The studies highlighted that VVD and IC/BPS share common comorbidities and possibly etiopathogenic pathways.
Conclusion:
VVD and IC/BPS are both complex and multifactorial syndromes. This review highlights an association between them, but additional studies on the topic should be conducted for a more precise conclusion.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction
IBS is a chronic condition that can persist over a long period or recur frequently.
The pathogenesis of IBS involves a complex interplay of the following factors:
Altered...
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
01:17Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:19Abdominal Regions and Quadrants
The simpler quadrants approach, which is more commonly used in medicine, subdivides the cavity with one horizontal and one vertical line that intersects at the patient's umbilicus (navel). The four...
01:20Disorders of the Urinary System
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common urinary system disorders. They are caused by bacteria that enter the urethra and can spread to the bladder resulting in cystitis. Pyelonephritis is the result of a UTI that has ascended to the level of the...