A 2015 vulvodynia acupuncture research study concluded that acupuncture reduced vulvar pain and painful intercourse while increasing overall sexual function for women with vulvodynia. The study, entitled “Acupuncture for the Treatment of Vulvodynia: A Randomized Wait-List Controlled Pilot Study,” found publication in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Introduction
Vulvodynia is chronic, unexplained pain in the area around the opening of the vagina. Women typically describe the pain as burning, stinging, itching, or rawness. It can be very uncomfortable, making certain activities unbearable, most notably having sexual intercourse. The incidence of vulvodynia in American women is between eight and sixteen percent. At present, there is no effective Western medical treatment for the condition.
Aim of Vulvodynia Acupuncture Research Study
To determine the feasibility and potential effects of using a standardized acupuncture protocol to treat women with vulvodynia.
Main Outcome Measures
The primary outcome was vulvar pain, with sexual function being the secondary outcome. Researchers assessed pain using the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, and function using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).
Study Methods
Thirty-six women with vulvodynia met the inclusion criteria. The women were randomly assigned either to an acupuncture group or to a waitlist control group. The eighteen subjects assigned to the acupuncture group received two acupuncture treatments a week for five weeks, totaling ten sessions.
Impressive Results
Acupuncture substantially reduced the incidence of vulvar pain and pain with intercourse. Changes in the aggregate FSFI scores pointed to significant improvement in sexual functioning in the acupuncture group compared to the waitlist group.
Conclusion
This vulvodynia acupuncture research was the first randomized controlled study of its kind. The acupuncture protocol was viable, meaning that patients achieved benefits quickly with long-lasting effects. The study outcomes demonstrated that acupuncture reduced vulvar pain and pain with intercourse while increasing women’s overall sexual function.
Next Steps
This vulvodynia acupuncture research confirms our own experience at Raleigh Acupuncture. We have been successfully treating women with vulvodynia for over fifteen years. Treatments are safe, natural, and effective.
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Reference
Schlaeger JM, Xu N, Mejta CL, Park CG, and Wilkie DJ. Acupuncture for the treatment of vulvodynia: A randomized waitlist controlled pilot study. J Sex Med 2015;12:1019–1027.
