Established drugs that could logically be hoped to have a beneficial effect on vulvar vestibulitis were evaluated empirically in small, uncontrolled, pilot studies. A small number of spontaneous remissions occurred in the groups using oral isotretinoin or progesterone cream. Apparent therapeutic responses were observed in women using oral dapsone, oral acyclovir or topical capsaicin. A further investigation of the last two drugs is warranted.