How the diagnosis is made

The diagnosis of vulvodynia is made after ruling out other causes of vulval pain, such as an infection, a skin disease, a lesion or nerve damage1. No test or imaging confirms vulvodynia: the diagnosis is based on the conversation with you and the examination2.

The conversation

The questions cover, in particular3:

  • when the pain started, how it has changed and how intense it is;
  • what triggers it, and whether it is spontaneous or provoked;
  • skin diseases, thrush, herpes or other infections, and treatments already tried;
  • your other pain, your medicines and your contraception;
  • your gynaecological and obstetric history, and your sex life.

A US guideline stresses that it is important to ask for your agreement before discussing your sex life4. The UK guideline also asks for the impact of the pain on your daily life, your sexuality, your sleep and your mood to be explored, as well as your concerns and expectations5.

The examination

The examination is adapted to your situation and to what you can tolerate6. Most often, the clinician gently touches different areas of the vulva with a cotton bud, to find where the pain occurs and how intense it is7. This “cotton bud test” helps to distinguish localised pain from generalised pain7. A gentle examination of the pelvic floor muscles may also be offered, as tension there is common8.

Swabs to look for an infection, and sometimes a small skin biopsy, can help to rule out other causes; beyond this purpose, other tests are not needed9. If no cause is found, a referral to a specialist may be offered10.

The options described in guidelines

Care usually starts with a discussion: an explanation of the diagnosis, written information and realistic goals14. No treatment suits everyone: it is often necessary to try several or to combine them, and improvement can take weeks to months and may remain partial15.

The approaches described, to be discussed with the professionals caring for you, are as follows.

  • Information and gentle care of the vulva: avoiding perfumed and irritating products, washing with water or a soap substitute, wearing cotton underwear, avoiding tight clothing, using an unperfumed lubricant16.
  • Pelvic floor physiotherapy, with a specialist: relaxing and controlling the muscles, biofeedback, exercises, dilators17.
  • Psychological and psychosexual support: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), psychotherapy, couples therapy or sex therapy18. This can also mean exploring a sex life that does not necessarily involve penetration19.
  • Medicines: local treatments, such as a local anaesthetic, or oral medicines from the antidepressant or antiepileptic families, used here for their effect on pain; they are often prescribed outside their official indications and can have side effects20.
  • Other techniques, depending on the situation: transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), acupuncture, certain injections21.
  • Surgery: for some localised, provoked forms, an operation that removes the painful area at the entrance to the vagina (vestibulectomy) may be considered when other measures have not been enough; the guidelines place it as a last resort22.

This site deliberately does not name any product or dose: these choices depend on your situation.

A team approach

An individualised, multidisciplinary approach is often described: a gynaecologist, dermatologist, physiotherapist, psychologist, sex therapist or pain specialist may be involved23. In French-speaking Switzerland, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) and Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) have specialist clinics for diseases of the vulva, where you can book an appointment directly; waiting times can be long24.

What the evidence says

The evidence remains limited: there are few randomised trials, and they are often small and difficult to compare25. Reviews have not shown that the medicines commonly prescribed work better than a placebo, and the placebo effect is large in these studies26. Physiotherapy and psychological approaches give encouraging results, with a level of evidence that is still low1718.

In this context, the guidelines emphasise realistic goals and an approach tailored to each person1423.

Preparing for your appointment

You can prepare for the questions asked during the conversation in advance3. For example, you could note down:

  • how long the pain has lasted, where it is, what triggers it or eases it;
  • treatments already tried, including for thrush, and their effects;
  • your other pain or health problems, and your medicines;
  • what matters most to you: day-to-day pain, intimate life, sleep, mood.

If you do not want to be examined, or if the examination worries you, you can say so at the very start of the appointment11.

Questions to ask

  • What points towards vulvodynia? Which other causes have you ruled out?
  • Is my pain more localised or generalised, provoked or spontaneous?
  • Do I need swabs or other tests? Why?
  • Which options are you considering, and what can I realistically expect from them?
  • What side effects are possible, and how long will it take before we know whether it is helping me?
  • Can you refer me to a physiotherapist, psychologist or sex therapist who knows about vulvodynia?
  • Is there a specialist clinic near me?
  • Are these treatments covered by my insurance?
  • What should I do if the pain changes or gets worse?

For the basics, see Vulvodynia: understanding persistent vulval pain.

Sources for this page

Each number leads to a neutral statement and to the documents that support it. We summarise these sources in our own words; the links open the original documents.

  1. 1

    The diagnosis of vulvodynia is made after ruling out other causes of vulval pain, in particular infectious, inflammatory (skin diseases), tumour-related, traumatic or neurological causes.

    Expert consensus · checked on 18 October 2026

    • 2013 Vulvodynia Guideline Update (new tab) — American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) — J Low Genit Tract Dis, J Low Genit Tract Dis 2014;18(2):93–100. Full text read (PDF distributed by the ISSVD). Predates the 2015 terminology: it still uses the 2003 classification.. Passage: “Diagnosis and Evaluation”, p. 94. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • 2024 British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) UK national guideline on the management of vulval conditions (new tab) — British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) — Int J STD AIDS, Int J STD AIDS 2025;36(5):346–371 (online on 21 January 2025). Full PDF published on the BASHH website, page “Vulval Conditions 2024” updated on 10 September 2024.. Passage: “Unprovoked vulvodynia — Diagnosis”, p. 363. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • Patient information leaflet: Vulvodynia and vestibulodynia (new tab) — British Association of Dermatologists (BAD), Leaflet produced in May 2006, updated in October 2024; next review due in October 2027.. Passage: “How will vulvodynia be diagnosed?”, p. 2. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • Tout savoir sur la vulvodynie (new tab) — Dermato-INFO, public information website of the Société française de dermatologie (France), Published on 15 June 2019, updated on 15 December 2025 (takes up and expands the Groupe MAG PDF leaflet of April 2019). (in French). Passage: “Comment établit-on le diagnostic de vulvodynie ?”. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    Back to the text
  2. 2

    There is no laboratory test or imaging that confirms vulvodynia: the diagnosis is clinical and is based on the medical history and the examination.

    Expert consensus · checked on 18 October 2026

    Back to the text
  3. 3

    The history-taking covers, in particular, the onset, course and intensity of the pain, its triggers, whether it is spontaneous or provoked, any history of skin diseases, thrush, herpes or other infections, treatments already tried, other pain, medicines including hormonal contraception, gynaecological and obstetric history, and sex life.

    Recommendation · checked on 18 October 2026

    • 2024 British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) UK national guideline on the management of vulval conditions (new tab) — British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) — Int J STD AIDS, Int J STD AIDS 2025;36(5):346–371 (online on 21 January 2025). Full PDF published on the BASHH website, page “Vulval Conditions 2024” updated on 10 September 2024.. Passage: “Practical management of genital pain in women — History to include”, p. 359. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • 2013 Vulvodynia Guideline Update (new tab) — American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) — J Low Genit Tract Dis, J Low Genit Tract Dis 2014;18(2):93–100. Full text read (PDF distributed by the ISSVD). Predates the 2015 terminology: it still uses the 2003 classification.. Passage: “Diagnosis and Evaluation”, p. 94. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    Back to the text
  4. 4

    The 2013 US update stresses that it is important to ask permission before discussing the patient's sexual history, even if this permission seems implicit.

    Recommendation · checked on 18 October 2026

    • 2013 Vulvodynia Guideline Update (new tab) — American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) — J Low Genit Tract Dis, J Low Genit Tract Dis 2014;18(2):93–100. Full text read (PDF distributed by the ISSVD). Predates the 2015 terminology: it still uses the 2003 classification.. Passage: “Diagnosis and Evaluation”, p. 94. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    Back to the text
  5. 5

    The UK guideline asks for the impact of the pain on daily life, sexuality, intimate relationships, urinary function, sleep and mood to be explored, as well as the person's ideas, concerns and expectations.

    Recommendation · checked on 18 October 2026

    Back to the text
  6. 6

    The examination is adapted to the situation and to what the person can tolerate: depending on the case, gentle mapping of the areas that are sensitive to touch, a careful speculum examination with a small speculum, a gentle examination of the pelvic muscles, and an examination of the skin of the perineum and around the anus.

    Recommendation · checked on 18 October 2026

    Back to the text
  7. 7

    During the examination, the clinician gently touches different areas of the vulva with a cotton bud to find where the pain occurs and how intense it is; this test helps to distinguish localised pain from generalised pain.

    Expert consensus · checked on 18 October 2026

    • Vulvodynia (vulval pain) (new tab) — National Health Service (NHS, United Kingdom), Page reviewed on 16 January 2024; next review due on 16 January 2027.. Passage: “What happens at your GP appointment”. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • 2013 Vulvodynia Guideline Update (new tab) — American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) — J Low Genit Tract Dis, J Low Genit Tract Dis 2014;18(2):93–100. Full text read (PDF distributed by the ISSVD). Predates the 2015 terminology: it still uses the 2003 classification.. Passage: “Diagnosis and Evaluation” and figure 1, p. 94. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • Evaluation and Treatment of Vulvodynia: State of the Science (new tab) — Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health (American College of Nurse-Midwives), J Midwifery Womens Health 2023;68(1):9–34. Full text read (PMC10107324).. Passage: “Clinical examination to diagnose vulvodynia”. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • Vulvodynia (new tab) — Nature Reviews Disease Primers, Nat Rev Dis Primers 2020;6(1):36. PubMed abstract checked; full text not consulted.. Passage: PubMed abstract. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    Back to the text
  8. 8

    Tension or poor control of the pelvic floor muscles is often present in vulvodynia, and the guidelines ask for it to be looked for.

    Recommendation · checked on 18 October 2026

    • 2013 Vulvodynia Guideline Update (new tab) — American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) — J Low Genit Tract Dis, J Low Genit Tract Dis 2014;18(2):93–100. Full text read (PDF distributed by the ISSVD). Predates the 2015 terminology: it still uses the 2003 classification.. Passage: “Biofeedback and Physical Therapy”, p. 98. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • Evaluation and Treatment of Vulvodynia: State of the Science (new tab) — Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health (American College of Nurse-Midwives), J Midwifery Womens Health 2023;68(1):9–34. Full text read (PMC10107324).. Passage: “Clinical examination to diagnose vulvodynia”. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • Tout savoir sur la vulvodynie (new tab) — Dermato-INFO, public information website of the Société française de dermatologie (France), Published on 15 June 2019, updated on 15 December 2025 (takes up and expands the Groupe MAG PDF leaflet of April 2019). (in French). Passage: “La vulvodynie est-elle associée à d'autres problèmes de santé ?”. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • 2024 British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) UK national guideline on the management of vulval conditions (new tab) — British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) — Int J STD AIDS, Int J STD AIDS 2025;36(5):346–371 (online on 21 January 2025). Full PDF published on the BASHH website, page “Vulval Conditions 2024” updated on 10 September 2024.. Passage: “Genital examination”, p. 360. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    Back to the text
  9. 9

    Swabs to look for an infection, and sometimes a skin biopsy, may be offered to rule out other causes; beyond this purpose, further tests are not needed.

    Expert consensus · checked on 18 October 2026

    Back to the text
  10. 10

    If the cause of the vulval pain is not found, a referral to a specialist may be offered to help manage the pain.

    Expert consensus · checked on 18 October 2026

    Back to the text
  11. 11

    No examination may be carried out without the patient's consent, which they can withdraw: the examination is stopped as soon as they express this wish, and whether it is useful can be discussed again at another appointment. A patient who does not wish to be examined is invited to say so at the start of the consultation.

    Established fact · checked on 18 October 2026

    French charter of good practice (AP-HP version of the national charter; the CNGOF version could not be opened). In Switzerland, the right to withdraw consent and to stop a treatment is set out in the cantonal health laws (example: Vaud, art. 23 LSP).

    • Charte de la consultation en gynécologie et en obstétrique (new tab) — Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP, France), based on the national charter (CNGOF and other societies, October 2021), AP-HP version of 22 December 2021 (“Référence documentaire : Charte nationale de la consultation en gynécologie ou en obstétrique”). The national version on the CNGOF website could not be opened (HTTP 404). (in French). Passage: Preamble and “Les principes qui nous guident”, 4th to 6th points. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • Consentement libre et éclairé (new tab) — Canton of Vaud (État de Vaud, Switzerland), Undated page; cites art. 23 of the Vaud public health act of 29 May 1985 (loi sur la santé publique, LSP). (in French). Passage: Paragraphs 1 and 2 (art. 23 LSP). Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    Back to the text
  12. 12

    The patient can be accompanied by a person of their choice during the consultation, and can ask for another person to be present during the examination.

    Established fact · checked on 18 October 2026

    • Charte de la consultation en gynécologie et en obstétrique (new tab) — Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP, France), based on the national charter (CNGOF and other societies, October 2021), AP-HP version of 22 December 2021 (“Référence documentaire : Charte nationale de la consultation en gynécologie ou en obstétrique”). The national version on the CNGOF website could not be opened (HTTP 404). (in French). Passage: “Les principes qui nous guident”, 2nd point. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • Vulvodynia (vulval pain) (new tab) — National Health Service (NHS, United Kingdom), Page reviewed on 16 January 2024; next review due on 16 January 2027.. Passage: Box “See a GP if”, last paragraph. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    Back to the text
  13. 13

    In university hospitals, students or doctors in training may attend the consultation with the patient's agreement, and the patient can refuse.

    Established fact · checked on 18 October 2026

    • Maladies vulvaires (new tab) — Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Department of Gynaecology, Page updated on 9 June 2026. (in French). Passage: “Soins et prestations”, last paragraph. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • Charte de la consultation en gynécologie et en obstétrique (new tab) — Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP, France), based on the national charter (CNGOF and other societies, October 2021), AP-HP version of 22 December 2021 (“Référence documentaire : Charte nationale de la consultation en gynécologie ou en obstétrique”). The national version on the CNGOF website could not be opened (HTTP 404). (in French). Passage: “Les principes qui nous guident”, last point. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    Back to the text
  14. 14

    The guidelines advise starting care with a detailed discussion, with an explanation of the diagnosis, written or online information and the setting of realistic goals.

    Recommendation · checked on 18 October 2026

    • Persistent Vulvar Pain — Committee Opinion Number 673 (new tab) — American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), September 2016, reaffirmed in 2024 (Obstet Gynecol 2016;128(3):e78–e84). ACOG page and PubMed abstract checked; full text not consulted (redirect to the publisher, access blocked).. Passage: Abstract. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • 2013 Vulvodynia Guideline Update (new tab) — American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) — J Low Genit Tract Dis, J Low Genit Tract Dis 2014;18(2):93–100. Full text read (PDF distributed by the ISSVD). Predates the 2015 terminology: it still uses the 2003 classification.. Passage: “General Treatment Considerations”, p. 94. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • 2024 British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) UK national guideline on the management of vulval conditions (new tab) — British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) — Int J STD AIDS, Int J STD AIDS 2025;36(5):346–371 (online on 21 January 2025). Full PDF published on the BASHH website, page “Vulval Conditions 2024” updated on 10 September 2024.. Passage: “Formulation of a management plan and follow-up arrangements”, p. 360, and “Auditable outcomes”, p. 363. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    Back to the text
  15. 15

    No treatment suits everyone: it is often necessary to try several or to combine them, and improvement can take weeks to months and may remain partial.

    Expert consensus · checked on 18 October 2026

    • Vulvodynia (vulval pain) (new tab) — National Health Service (NHS, United Kingdom), Page reviewed on 16 January 2024; next review due on 16 January 2027.. Passage: “Treatments for vulvodynia”, last paragraph. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • 2013 Vulvodynia Guideline Update (new tab) — American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) — J Low Genit Tract Dis, J Low Genit Tract Dis 2014;18(2):93–100. Full text read (PDF distributed by the ISSVD). Predates the 2015 terminology: it still uses the 2003 classification.. Passage: “Conclusions”, p. 99. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • Patient information leaflet: Vulvodynia and vestibulodynia (new tab) — British Association of Dermatologists (BAD), Leaflet produced in May 2006, updated in October 2024; next review due in October 2027.. Passage: “Self-care (what can I do?)”, p. 3. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • Evaluation and Treatment of Vulvodynia: State of the Science (new tab) — Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health (American College of Nurse-Midwives), J Midwifery Womens Health 2023;68(1):9–34. Full text read (PMC10107324).. Passage: “Treatments for vulvar pain and dyspareunia”, 2nd paragraph. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    Back to the text
  16. 16

    Gentle care of the vulva is generally advised: avoiding soaps, perfumed products, wipes, deodorants and vaginal douches, washing with water or a soap substitute, applying a plain emollient, wearing cotton underwear, avoiding tight clothing, and using an unperfumed lubricant during sex.

    Recommendation · checked on 18 October 2026

    Measures based mainly on expert opinion; their specific effect has not been measured in trials.

    Back to the text
  17. 17

    Pelvic floor physiotherapy with a specialist is one of the options described (work on relaxing and controlling the muscles, biofeedback, exercises, dilators); systematic reviews find encouraging results for it, with a level of evidence that is still low.

    Recommendation · checked on 18 October 2026

    Swedish review 2022: only multimodal physiotherapy, compared with a local anaesthetic, has some support (low certainty). 2024 review: interventions effective in small, heterogeneous studies, with no meta-analysis possible.

    Back to the text
  18. 18

    Psychological and psychosexual approaches (cognitive behavioural therapy, psychotherapy, couples therapy, sex therapy) are among the options described, because sexual pain has physical, psychological and relational components; a 2025 meta-analysis concludes that they improve pain, psychological adjustment and sexuality, with evidence of still limited quality.

    Recommendation · checked on 18 October 2026

    Back to the text
  19. 19

    The UK guideline mentions the value of broadening sexual activity to include non-penetrative practices, to improve communication and reduce shame and anxiety; the ISSVD leaflet stresses the importance of finding ways to have a sex life without pain.

    Recommendation · checked on 18 October 2026

    Back to the text
  20. 20

    Medicines are among the options described: local treatments, such as a local anaesthetic, and oral medicines from the antidepressant or antiepileptic families, used here for their effect on nerve pain; they are often prescribed outside their official indications and can have side effects.

    Recommendation · checked on 18 October 2026

    The products and doses cited by the guidelines are deliberately not included. When local anaesthetics should be applied differs between sources (see the research file, section C).

    • 2024 British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) UK national guideline on the management of vulval conditions (new tab) — British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) — Int J STD AIDS, Int J STD AIDS 2025;36(5):346–371 (online on 21 January 2025). Full PDF published on the BASHH website, page “Vulval Conditions 2024” updated on 10 September 2024.. Passage: “Provoked vulvodynia — Specific treatments”, p. 361; “Unprovoked vulvodynia — Management”, p. 363; table 5. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • Vulvodynia (vulval pain) (new tab) — National Health Service (NHS, United Kingdom), Page reviewed on 16 January 2024; next review due on 16 January 2027.. Passage: “Treatments for vulvodynia”. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • Patient information leaflet: Vulvodynia and vestibulodynia (new tab) — British Association of Dermatologists (BAD), Leaflet produced in May 2006, updated in October 2024; next review due in October 2027.. Passage: “How can vulvodynia be prevented and treated?”, p. 2. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • 2013 Vulvodynia Guideline Update (new tab) — American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) — J Low Genit Tract Dis, J Low Genit Tract Dis 2014;18(2):93–100. Full text read (PDF distributed by the ISSVD). Predates the 2015 terminology: it still uses the 2003 classification.. Passage: “Topical” and “Oral”, p. 95–97. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    Back to the text
  21. 21

    Other approaches are being studied or offered depending on the situation, such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), acupuncture or certain injections; their level of evidence varies.

    Emerging evidence · checked on 18 October 2026

    The 2026 network meta-analysis ranks “tissue-based” therapies (including vaginal TENS and photobiomodulation) highest, with moderate confidence; the other results rest on low to moderate confidence.

    Back to the text
  22. 22

    For some localised, provoked forms (vestibulodynia), surgery that removes the painful area at the entrance to the vagina (vestibulectomy) may be considered when other measures have not been enough; the guidelines place it as a last resort, and the available studies are mostly observational, with varying definitions of success.

    Recommendation · checked on 18 October 2026

    • 2024 British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) UK national guideline on the management of vulval conditions (new tab) — British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) — Int J STD AIDS, Int J STD AIDS 2025;36(5):346–371 (online on 21 January 2025). Full PDF published on the BASHH website, page “Vulval Conditions 2024” updated on 10 September 2024.. Passage: “Surgery”, p. 362. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • 2013 Vulvodynia Guideline Update (new tab) — American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) — J Low Genit Tract Dis, J Low Genit Tract Dis 2014;18(2):93–100. Full text read (PDF distributed by the ISSVD). Predates the 2015 terminology: it still uses the 2003 classification.. Passage: “Vestibulectomy”, p. 97. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • Vulvodynia (vulval pain) (new tab) — National Health Service (NHS, United Kingdom), Page reviewed on 16 January 2024; next review due on 16 January 2027.. Passage: “Treatments for vulvodynia”. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • Surgical Treatment for Provoked Vulvodynia: A Systematic Review (new tab) — Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease (ASCCP), J Low Genit Tract Dis 2024;28(4):379–390. PubMed abstract checked.. Passage: PubMed abstract (Results, Conclusion). Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • Vulvodynia (new tab) — Nature Reviews Disease Primers, Nat Rev Dis Primers 2020;6(1):36. PubMed abstract checked; full text not consulted.. Passage: PubMed abstract. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    Back to the text
  23. 23

    An individualised, multidisciplinary approach is recommended or described, which may involve a gynaecologist, dermatologist, physiotherapist, psychologist, sex therapist and pain specialist.

    Recommendation · checked on 18 October 2026

    Back to the text
  24. 24

    In French-speaking Switzerland, the HUG (Geneva) and the CHUV (Lausanne) have specialist clinics for diseases of the vulva, which see, among other things, chronic vulval pain and sexual pain; the people affected or their doctors can book an appointment there directly, and the HUG point out that waiting times are sometimes long.

    Established fact · checked on 18 October 2026

    • Maladies vulvaires (new tab) — Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Department of Gynaecology, Page updated on 9 June 2026. (in French). Passage: “Pathologies vulvaires : une consultation à votre écoute” and “Prise de rendez-vous”. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    • Pathologies vulvaires (new tab) — Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Department of Gynaecology, Page updated on 6 August 2026. (in French). Passage: “Pathologies vulvaires bénignes”. Accessed on 18 October 2026.
    Back to the text
  25. 25

    The evidence on treatments for vulvodynia remains limited: few randomised trials, often small and difficult to compare, and no treatment recommendation based on strong evidence.

    Established fact · checked on 18 October 2026

    Back to the text
  26. 26

    Syntheses of randomised trials have not shown that the medicines commonly prescribed for vulvodynia work better than a placebo, and the placebo effect is large in these studies.

    Emerging evidence · checked on 18 October 2026

    Few, small trials; failing to show superiority does not prove a lack of effect in every person. The guidelines continue to list medicines among the options.

    Back to the text