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Contact: Phyllis Mate
(301) 299-0775
Fax: (301) 299-3999
NATIONAL VULVODYNIA ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES RESULTS FROM FIRST
EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDY ON CHRONIC VULVAR PAIN
Study Finds That Almost 20% of Women Experience Chronic Vulvar
Pain
Boston, MA - October 16, 2001 - The National Vulvodynia
Association (NVA) today announced preliminary results from the first
epidemiological study on chronic vulvar pain conducted by Bernard
L. Harlow, Ph.D., of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Epidemiology
Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School,
in Massachusetts.
The study suggests that almost 20% of American women have suffered
from chronic vulvovaginal pain at some point in their lives. A staggering
40 percent of these women never sought treatment for the condition.
Of the women who did seek treatment, the condition remained undiagnosed
in nearly 40 percent.
According to Phyllis Mate, executive director of the NVA, "Sadly,
many women are too embarrassed to seek help for vulvodynia and attempt
to self-treat with over-the-counter medications that can exacerbate
the problem. Many of these women suffer from intense physical pain,
which is only compounded by the emotional distress these conditions
cause."
"This study is the first significant evidence that potentially
millions of women in the United States are suffering from chronic
vulvar pain," said Dr. Harlow. "While the data is preliminary,
we are confident that our comprehensive study will help to discover
the underlying causes of vulvar pain so that we can develop better
treatment methods."
The preliminary study surveyed 303 women from a random sample in
the greater Boston area. The objective was to determine the prevalence
and predictors of chronic vulvar discomfort. Dr. Harlow has subsequently
received funding from the National Institutes of Health and is continuing
to survey 16,000 women within the next two years. For questions
regarding the study, call Jessica Collins at Brigham and Women's
Hospital, 617-534-1600.
About the NVA
The National Vulvodynia Association (NVA), a non-profit organization
established in 1994, began as a small local support group. Today,
more than 4,000 patients and health care practitioners throughout
the world belong to the organization. The NVA disseminates newsletters
written by medical experts, provides support services and physician
referrals, and encourages research on the disorder. Its medical
advisory board is comprised of clinicians and scientists from diverse
medical specialties, including gynecology, dermatology, pain management
and physical therapy. For additional information, visit the NVA's
website at www.nva.org
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