Vestibulodynia

Overview & Efficacy:

Several small controlled studies have shown that muscle tension biofeedback from the pelvic floor is at least as effective as surgery and cognitive restructuring for improvements in sexual function and significantly reduced pain during intercourse (but not quite as much as surgery) among people with vulvar vestibulitis.

This therapy is rated as between possibly and probably efficacious (levels 2 to 3 on a scale of 1 - 5 with 5 being the best) until more controlled and larger clinical studies with longer term follow-ups are published.

 

Technical Papers & Abstracts

Bergeron, S., Binik, Y. M., Kkalifé, S., Pagidas, K., Glazer, H., & Meana, M. et al.(2001). A randomized comparison of group cognitie-behavioral therapy, surface electomyographic biofeedback, and vestibulectomy in the treatment of dyspareunia from vulvar vestibulitis. Pain, 91, 297–306.

Danielsson, I., Torstensson, T., Brodda-Jansen, G., & Bohm-Starke, N. (2006).
EMG biofeedback versus topical lidocaine gel: a randomized study for the treatment of women with vulvar vestibulitis. Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 85(11), 1360-1367.

Dhar, R., & Nunns, D. (Jul. 2009). Vulvodynia management. Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Reproductive Medicine, 19(7), 175-177.

Glazer, H. I., Rodke, G., Swencionis, C., Hertz, R., & Young, A. W. (1995). Treatment of vulvar vestibulitis syndrome with electromyographic biofeedback of pelvic floor musculature. The Journal Of Reproductive Medicine,40(4), 283-90.

Lotery, H., McClure, N., Galask, R. (Mar. 2004). Vulvodynia. The Lancet, 363(9414), 1058-1060.

McKay, E., Kaufman, R., Doctor, U., Berkova, Z., Glazer, H., & Redko, V. (2001). Treating vulvar vestibulitis with electromyographic biofeedback of pelvic floor musculature. J Reprod Med, 46, 337–342.

Metts J.(Mar. 1999). Vulvodynia and vulvar vestibulitis: challenges in diagnosis and management. American Family Physician, 59(6), 1547-1556.