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Vulvar vestibulitis: a multi-factorial condition

  1. Ingela Danielsson1,
  2. Martin Eisemann2,
  3. Inga Sjöberg3,
  4. Marianne Wikman4

Article first published online: 22 DEC 2003

DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2001.00113.x

Issue

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Volume 108, Issue 5, pages 456–461, May 2001

Additional Information

How to Cite

Danielsson, I., Eisemann, M., Sjöberg, I. and Wikman, M. (2001), Vulvar vestibulitis: a multi-factorial condition. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 108: 456–461. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2001.00113.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sundsvall Hospital, Sweden

  2. 2

    Unit of Medical Psychology, Umeå University, Sweden

  3. 3

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Umeå University Hospital, Sweden

  4. 4

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Psychosomatic Section, Umeå University Hospital, Sweden

**Dr I. Danielsson, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sundsvall Hospital, S- 851-86 Sundsvall, Sweden

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 22 DEC 2003
  2. Article first published online: 22 DEC 2003
  3. Accepted 19 December 2000

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Objective To study differences in somatic symptoms and personality dimensions between women with vulvar vestibulitis and a non-symptomatic control group.

Design A case–control study conducted in 1998.

Setting Two clinics in northern Sweden.

Sample Thirty-eight women, 18–25 years of age, suffering from vulvar vestibulitis, and 70 healthy controls.

Methods The women completed two questionnaires: the temperament and character inventory to study personality aspects, and the Giessen subjective complaints list, which is a checklist of subjective bodily complaints.

Results Regarding personality aspects the women with vulvar vestibulitis scored significantly higher than the control group, on exclusively one out of seven subscales of the temperament and character inventory (i.e. harm avoidance). This trait is considered to be partly inherited and stable throughout life, and to give the person a tendency to react to problems with pessimistic thoughts, increased anxiety and fatigue. On the Giessen subjective complaints list the women with vestibulitis reported a significantly higher number of somatic complaints in several areas.

Conclusions The findings that women suffering from vulvar vestibulitis have more bodily complaints than the controls is interpreted as an indication of a psychosomatic element in their illness, which could be primary or secondary. Furthermore, these women are characterised by a particular personality trait, and it is suggested that this trait might influence their experience and management of pain and stress. A multi-factorial origin of vulvar vestibulitis is advocated and a multimodal interdisciplinary treatment approach is suggested. To elucidate further the mechanisms behind this health problem, prospective controlled studies are urgently needed.

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