History of Abuse in Women With Vulvar Pruritus, Vulvodynia, and Asymptomatic Controls.

OBJECTIVE

Chronic vulvar pruritus and vulvodynia are common vulvar diseases. The aim of this study was to compare gynecologic and sexual and physical abuse histories from patients with these diagnoses and from healthy controls.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Questionnaires were self-completed by patients diagnosed with vulvar itch-scratch (n = 93), patients diagnosed with vulvodynia (n = 232), and patients presenting for annual gynecologic examinations (n = 104) at the University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor, MI.

RESULTS

Patients who came for annual examinations were less likely to report past gynecologic infections (p < .05) and indicated higher interest in and more frequent sexual activity than the other 2 groups (p = .003). Vulvodynia patients had the highest scores on the McGill Pain Questionnaire (p < .001). Subjects with either vulvar disorder were more likely to self-report a history of gynecologic infections than annual examination controls. Rates of sexual (p = .78) and physical abuse (p = .12) were similar for all 3 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with vulvar pruritus and vulvodynia report similar rates of sexual and physical abuse.