TY - JOUR
T1 - Quality of life and sexual function after evaluation and treatment at a referral center for vulvovaginal disorders
AU - Jensen, Jeffrey T.
AU - Wilder, Kathleen
AU - Carr, Kirsten
AU - Romm, Jillian
AU - Hansen, Amy
AU - Eckert, Linda
N1 - Funding Information:
Supported by OHSU CWH, HD 01243.
PY - 2003/6/1
Y1 - 2003/6/1
N2 - OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to assess sexual function and quality of life of women after evaluation and treatment of vulvovaginal problems at a University Center. STUDY DESIGN: Subjects were mailed a cover letter and follow-up survey. All new patients (322) referred for evaluation of vulvar problems at a University Vulvar Specialty Clinic between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 1999, were mailed a survey instrument containing specific questions concerning general, vulvar, and sexual health. Medical records from clinic visits were manually abstracted. Groups defined with descriptive statistics and proportional change in symptoms analyzed with χ2 statistics. RESULTS: Of the 322 women who met the study criteria, 195 returned valid surveys for an overall response rate of 60.5%. The mean duration of follow-up was 28 months. The most common presenting symptoms were vulvar pain (86%), dyspareunia (71%), itching (35%), and skin changes (20%). At follow-up, 128 (66%) reported improvement in symptoms compared with 14 (7%) that worsened (P < .001). Although subjects did not report an increase in the frequency of sexual activity, significantly more women reported an increase in enjoyment (n = 77, 43%) of sexual activity than a decrease (n = 30, 17%, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Most women presenting for evaluation of vulvar pain will report improvement in symptoms and sexual function after treatment in a Vulvar Specialty Clinic.
AB - OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to assess sexual function and quality of life of women after evaluation and treatment of vulvovaginal problems at a University Center. STUDY DESIGN: Subjects were mailed a cover letter and follow-up survey. All new patients (322) referred for evaluation of vulvar problems at a University Vulvar Specialty Clinic between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 1999, were mailed a survey instrument containing specific questions concerning general, vulvar, and sexual health. Medical records from clinic visits were manually abstracted. Groups defined with descriptive statistics and proportional change in symptoms analyzed with χ2 statistics. RESULTS: Of the 322 women who met the study criteria, 195 returned valid surveys for an overall response rate of 60.5%. The mean duration of follow-up was 28 months. The most common presenting symptoms were vulvar pain (86%), dyspareunia (71%), itching (35%), and skin changes (20%). At follow-up, 128 (66%) reported improvement in symptoms compared with 14 (7%) that worsened (P < .001). Although subjects did not report an increase in the frequency of sexual activity, significantly more women reported an increase in enjoyment (n = 77, 43%) of sexual activity than a decrease (n = 30, 17%, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Most women presenting for evaluation of vulvar pain will report improvement in symptoms and sexual function after treatment in a Vulvar Specialty Clinic.
KW - Quality of life
KW - Sexual function
KW - Vulvar pain
KW - Vulvar vestibulitis
KW - Vulvodynia
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U2 - 10.1067/mob.2003.395
DO - 10.1067/mob.2003.395
M3 - Article
C2 - 12825003
AN - SCOPUS:0038677096
SN - 0002-9378
VL - 188
SP - 1629
EP - 1637
JO - American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
JF - American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
IS - 6
ER -