The Role of Prophylaxis and Dietotherapy in Gynecology in the Context of the Interdisciplinary Nature of Genital Discomfort-A Pilot Report.

Background/

Objectives

Genital discomfort, manifested by vulvar itching and burning, is a frequent complaint among women of all ages and has multifactorial origins-including dermatoses, infections, allergies, and hormonal disorders. The study aimed to determine whether selected medical history factors-age, obstetric history, and body mass index (BMI)-influence the frequency of genital discomfort as a reason for gynecological consultation.

Methods

A pilot study included 288 female patients aged 11-91 years who presented to outpatient gynecological clinics between September 2018 and February 2025 with symptoms of vulvar itching and genital discomfort. Qualitative data were expressed as numbers and percentages, and age was described using mean, median, quartiles, and range. Associations between categorical variables were assessed using Pearson's chi-square test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

Results

The mean age of patients was 47.4 ± 20.3 years. Most were diagnosed with ICD-10 code N90 (82.6%), while 17.4% had N76. Genital discomfort was most frequently reported by women aged 41-50 years (p < 0.0001). Comorbidities (p < 0.0001) and obstetric history (p < 0.0001) significantly influenced the occurrence of genital discomfort, which was more prevalent among women with chronic conditions and those who had been pregnant. No significant associations were found with BMI (p = 0.2353) or menopausal status (p = 0.3458).

Conclusions

Genital discomfort is a common and multifactorial condition requiring an interdisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Collaboration among gynecologists, dermatologists, endocrinologists, and dietitians is crucial for effective management and prevention.