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To diagnose Vulvodynia, medical specialists will carefully review
your medical history. You will be asked questions about your symptoms,
sexual activity, diet, feminine hygiene, previous medical problems
and medication use. Your doctor should also carefully examine the
vulva, vagina and any vaginal secretions for other causes of your
pain such as infections and skin disorders. Many doctors will perform
routine fungal vaginal cultures to ensure that an infection is not
causing or worsening any irritation or burning. A "q-tip test"
may be administered during your exam. During this test, different
areas of the vulva and vestibule are touched with a Q-tip to determine
the location and severity of your pain. If your doctor sees areas
of skin that look suspicious during your exam, a biopsy of the skin
may be required. Additionally, he/she may look more closely through
a magnifying glass at any abnormal lesions in the vulva or may recommend
a colposcopy, a test in which an instrument is used to look at the
vulva more closely.
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