Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for Vulvodynia: A Clinician's Guide

Abstract

Vulvar pain affects up to 20% of women at some point in their lives, and most women with vulvar pain have associated pelvic floor impairments. Pelvic floor dysfunction is associated with significant functional limitations in women by causing painful intercourse and urinary, bowel, and sexual dysfunction. A quick screening of the pelvic floor muscles can be performed in the gynecology office and should be used when patients report symptoms of pelvic pain. It is now known the vulvar pain syndromes are heterogeneous in origin; therefore, successful treatment plans are multimodal and include physical therapy.

Keywords: Dyspareunia; Pelvic floor dysfunction; Pelvic floor physical therapy; Vestibulodynia; Vulvodynia.