Discussion

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the rates of painful bladder syndrome and functional bowel disorders in women with vulvar disease and control subjects. Study design: In this cross-sectional survey, a questionnaire that contained validated outcome measures was administered to women who were seeking care in a vulvar disease clinic and in general gynecology clinics. Results: Women who were seen at a vulvar disease clinic were 2.18 (95% CI, 1.19, 3.97) times more likely to have painful bladder syndrome and 2.13 (95% CI, 1.35, 3.35) times more likely to have functional bowel disorders than general gynecology clinic control subjects after multivariable analyses. Conclusion: Painful bladder syndrome and functional bowel disorders are more prevalent in women who are seen at a vulvar disease clinic than gynecology clinics control subjects. These associations may reflect a common origin for these disorders in certain women. These findings lay the groundwork for future research to investigate a potential pelvic floor pain disorder, which is a disease entity that would combine the diagnostic criteria for vulvar, bladder, and bowel pain disorders.