Relationship Between Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome (VVS) and Dyspareunia
Op. Dr. Fettah Tosun
Üroloji ve Pelvik Taban Cerrahisi Uzmanı
Medikal Olarak İncelendi & Akademik Kılavuzlara Göre Onaylandı
The underlying condition overlooked in many women who visit multiple doctors for years with complaints of superficial dyspareunia (pain at entry) and are sent home being told it is 'psychological' is Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome (VVS). VVS is a non-infectious, chronic inflammatory, and hypersensitive state of the delicate tissue at the vaginal opening called the 'vestibule.' In patients with painful intercourse, this syndrome is diagnosed using specialized tests, and effective treatment methods are applied.
What Are the Symptoms of Vulvar Vestibulitis?
Pain in VVS patients is highly characteristic and is triggered under the following conditions:
<li>A severe burning sensation during penile penetration, as if salt is being rubbed or acid is being poured onto an open wound.</li>
<li>Stinging and aching at the vaginal opening when wearing tight pants, riding a bicycle, or inserting a tampon.</li>
<li>Extreme pain causing the patient to flinch when the vestibule tissue is touched with a cotton-tipped applicator during a gynecological exam (Q-tip test).</li>
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Treatment of Vulvar Vestibulitis
Since this condition is not of psychological origin, it cannot be resolved with psychotherapy alone. Treatment includes local anesthetic creams, medications that reduce nerve sensitivity, and pelvic floor physical therapy. In resistant cases, a success rate of over 90% in achieving complete and permanent recovery is obtained through vestibulectomy (surgical removal of the sensitized tissue).
Bilimsel Referanslar & Akademik Kaynakça (E-E-A-T)
- 1.EAU Guidelines: European Association of Urology (EAU) Guidelines on Non-neurogenic Female LUTS and Urinary Incontinence (2025 update). uroweb.org ↗
- 2.NIH & PubMed: High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology for pelvic floor muscle strengthening: Clinical evaluation on stress urinary incontinence. (PMID: 32014589) pubmed.gov ↗
- 3.ICS Standard: International Continence Society (ICS) standards on pelvic floor rehabilitation and biofeedback protocols. ics.org ↗