Sexual Health and Wellness Institute
  • Science Behind our Bio-Match®
  • Women's Health Blog
  • Truth in Advertising
  • About Us

A Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Approach for Vulvodynia

An estimated 10 million women suffer from chronic pelvic pain. While less than 70% receive a proper diagnosis, it’s estimated another 61% remain undiagnosed. This discrepancy in patient care led the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), and the International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS) to meet in 2015 to redefine vulva and vaginal pain in a new classification system to improve diagnosis and treatment.

The meeting’s success resulted in a new definition for vulvodynia: “Vulvodynia is not one disease, but a constellation of symptoms of several (sometimes overlapping) disease processes, which will benefit best from a range of treatments based on individual presentations.”

Present at the 2015 meeting, author Stephanie Prendergast, MPT, suggests that gynecology exams which could include a screening of the pelvic floor muscles and tissues may be useful in identifying musculoskeletal dysfunction. With this basic assessment, healthcare providers could then recommend patients for pelvic floor examinations for further diagnosis and treatment.

In her article, Prendergast provides a physical therapy evaluation guide to assist pelvic floor therapists with assessment, evaluation, and treatment plans, and suggests that because of the heterogeneous nature of vulvodynia, properly addressing each patient’s vulvodynia may include multimodal therapies.

Prendergast’s article concludes that successful measures to address pelvic pain begin with a proactive stance and evaluation of vaginal care concerns.

More Resources:

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for Vulvodynia: A Clinician's Guide

Stephanie Prendergast
(Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America, September 2017)

Abstract · PDF

“I have a patient who has gone through vaginal radiation and had persistent dryness that was painful. She says your products have allowed her not to have ongoing pain and to resume a sexual relationship with her spouse, which she feared was over.”

Sarah C. Wilson, MSN, RN, CNP  GYN Oncology Nurse Practitioner

“I have had so many positive responses to this product from my patients. I am so excited with the response. I do know that several of my patients have switched from [popular OTC lubricant brand] to this product after using the samples we provided them with... they say there is no comparison!”

Harry W. Kuberg, MD  Kuberg Clinic

“Your lubricant has been a lifesaver for many of my patients - the best lubricant ever! Thank you, Good Clean Love! I'm relieved that there has not been one patient who has been "allergic" to it!”

Debra M. Cunningham, WHNP  Alton OB/GYN Associates

  • Contact Us
  • Our Ingredients
  • Sampling Program
  • Refill Request
© 2023 Sexual Health and Wellness Institute, All Rights Reserved