Prevalence of vulvodynia and risk factors for the condition in Portugal

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of vulvodynia in Portugal and factors associated with this condition.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, an online survey was distributed by email and posted on a website and social networks. Women aged at least 18 years who were living in Portugal were eligible to complete the survey between June 1 and November 30, 2013. Participants had to have had symptoms for at least 6 months to be deemed to have vulvodynia.

Results: Overall, 1229 questionnaires were included in analyses. A total of 80 (6.5%) women had vulvodynia at the time of the survey, and 117 (9.5%) had had it previously; lifetime prevalence was 16.0%. Pregnancy and type of delivery were not associated with vulvodynia. Women who had ever taken oral contraceptives were significantly more likely to have ever had vulvodynia (P<0.010). Candidiasis, genital herpes, urinary tract infections, depression, and premenstrual syndrome were associated with ever having had vulvodynia (P<0.01). Pain syndromes were associated with ever having had vulvodynia, especially fibromyalgia and bladder pain syndrome (P<0.001). Scoliosis and hysterectomy were also significantly associated (P<0.01).

Conclusion: The prevalence of vulvodynia in Portugal is similar to that elsewhere. Three main groups of factors might lead to vulvodynia: local inflammatory factors, general pain susceptibility, and pelvic nerve interference.

Keywords: Europe; Portugal; Vulvar disease; Vulvar pain; Vulvodynia.