Vulvar vestibulitis in the north of Sweden. An epidemiologic case-control study.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the epidemiologic characteristics of patients with vulvar vestibulitis.

STUDY

DESIGN

During the years 1992-1994, 32 women with vulvar vestibulitis were referred to the Vulva Clinic, University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden. They were asked questions regarding age, age at first intercourse, pregnancies, number of lifetime partners, use of oral contraceptives and past gynecologic history, including infections and previous treatments. The cases were compared to 17 healthy controls. For statistical evaluation, the two-tailed Wilcoxon rank sum test was used.

RESULTS

There were no differences between the groups regarding age, age at first intercourse, pregnancies, number of lifetime partners or history of genital infections, with the exception of human papillomavirus. The cases had been treated significantly more often for suspected papillomavirus infection and had also used oral contraceptives for a significantly longer period.

CONCLUSION

This study provided support for the hypothesis of a steroidal etiology of the syndrome.