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UCLA (Los Angeles, California)

Treatment of Vaginal Pain with Injection of Numbing Medicine

Andrea Rapkin, MD and John McDonald, MD (Principal Investigators)
For further information, call 310-825-6963

Women ages 18-65 with a diagnosis of vulvodynia, who are not currently pregnant and do not intend on becoming pregnant in the next 3 months, may be interested in a UCLA study to see if vaginal and lower back nerve blocks (injection of local anesthetic medicine) are helpful in treating this disorder.  Pelvic muscle evaluation and psychological questionnaires are included. The study will last up to 7 months and includes 3-5 treatment sessions, a 2-month follow-up visit, and a phone call 2 months after the follow-up visit to assess progress.

Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, Ohio)

Pregabalin (Lyrica): For the Treatment of Vulvodynia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Cross-Over Study.

Linda McElrath, RN
Research Nurse Coordinator
Cleveland Clinic/Department of Ob/Gyn
216 445-2494
PI: Beri Ridgeway MD

Eligible participants must be age 18 or greater and have been diagnosed with vulvodynia (generalized vulvodynia or vulvar vestibulitis).  Participants must practice reliable form of birth control defined as sterilization, hormonal contraception, abstinence or IUD.  Must not have a contraindication to pregabalin or history of  prior use of pregabalin.  Must be able to attend all follow up visits (5) over the course of the study which will last approximately 11 weeks.  The study drug, other study related tests/procedures/visits will be provided at no cost to you.

Beaumont Hospital-Royal Oak (Royal Oak, MI)

A clinical trial of CC-10004 for the treatment of vulvodynia

Karen Sherer, RN, Research Nurse Coordinator
248-551-3565
Principal Investigator – Kenneth M. Peters, MD
Co-Investigator – Donna Carrico, NP,MS

This is a 16-week drug trial. All study medication, exams, blood work, ECGs and questionnaires will be provided at no cost. Women must be between the ages of 18-69, and have a reported history of vulvar pain for at least 3 months.

Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, Ohio)

VQOL: A new condition-specific quality of life scale for women with vulvovaginal pain disorders

Linda McElrath, RN
Research Nurse Coordinator
Cleveland Clinic Department of Ob /Gyn
216-444-6881
Principle investigator - John E. Jelovsek, MD

Eligible participants should suffer from vulvar or vaginal pain lasting greater than or equal to 3 months. Enrolled participants are required to be able to complete questionnaires in English language at their initial visit, one week, and three months later.  This study is supported by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Minnesota Gynecology & Surgery (Edina, MN)

Treatment of Vulvodynia / Vulvar Vestibulitis with Botox®

James B. Presthus, M.D.
952-893-9100
j.presthus@mngyn.com

Patients with a diagnosis of vulvodynia / vulvar vestibulitis are eligible for a study to evaluate the efficacy of botulinum toxin type A (Botox®). Patients will be enrolled in either a control arm or treatment arm. The study involves 3 visits over 12 weeks and there are no costs to the participants.

Doctoral Dissertation Study (Philadelphia, PA)

Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome: The Challenges of Connecting to Positive Health.

Jennifer Foust, MS, LPC
Doctoral Candidate, Widener University
215-922-5683, ext 4

This study is a dissertation project being conducted by a doctoral candidate in human sexuality education at Widener University.  Participants must be diagnosed with Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome, be between 20-40 years of age, reside in the Philadelphia area, and have received moderately successful to successful treatment of the physical symptoms of Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome.  Participants will take part in a one and a half hour focus group to discuss the effects of Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome on their sexuality. Participants will be compensated $25 by this researcher for the focus group.  When calling, please indicate that you would like to be a research participant.

St. Cloud State University (St. Cloud, Minnesota)

The Process of Receiving a Diagnosis of Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome.

Log in to the study’s web site https://www.surveymonkey.com and read the consent form. If you want to participate, "sign" the form by submitting it through the submit button. Alternately, you can send an e-mail to Jennifer Connor - jjconnor@stcloudstate.edu

You must have access to a computer, be able to read English, and have a diagnosis of vulvar vestibulitis syndrome (aka provoked vestibulodynia). Participants will complete an online questionnaire regarding when and where they received a diagnosis, as well as the efficiency of the process. Participants will also be asked about personal characteristics. The online session should take only 15-20 minutes.

Doctoral Dissertation Study

Coping efforts among women with chronic pelvic pain.

Erica Hamilton, MA, doctoral candidate, ericahamilt@gmail.com

(a) Women aged 18 and older with a medical diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain or a subcategory (e.g., vulvodynia, endometriosis, etc.),

(b) Length of time since diagnosis of the condition is at least six months, and

(c) Access to a private internet connection (e.g., a room that can be made private).

The study would involve your participation over the course of five to six weeks. The study involves filling out an electronic demographic form, participating in two phone interviews, and participating in a tracking period that would last for a full menstrual cycle (or 30 days if not menstruating). The first phone interview is expected to last approximately two hours.  Research participants would then be asked to complete a short electronic form each day for the duration of the tracking period (taking between five and 15 minutes per day). The form asks questions about pain intensity, daily challenges related to the pain, and daily coping efforts. The second phone interview is expected to last between 30 and 60 minutes. Research participants will be compensated with $50 gift certificates.

University of California - Los Angeles

PROCAIM is a multi-site, web-based research project to evaluate complementary, alternative, and integrative medical (CAIM) therapies, and to help us understand the role of stress in conditions with overlapping symptoms.  Participants register online and complete a series of questionnaires about current symptoms, treatments, current life events, stress and coping, mood, and early childhood experiences.  This is a year-long research project.  The initial online session is expected to take 30-45 minutes.  Six subsequent sessions may take 15-30 minutes.

Log in to our web site: http://www.procaim.org
Register as a New User.
Read the Consent Form.  If you want to participate, "sign" the form by entering or confirming your email address.
Begin to answer the first in a series of questionnaires.  The system will send you email reminders at the time of each scheduled follow-up for one year.  Or write to Dr. Ackerman, Deborah.Ackerman@ucla.edu

You must have access to a computer and an email account, be able to read English, and have a chronic and recurring medical condition such as chronic pelvic pain, vulvodynia, IBS, interstitial cystitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and others. The research study involves answering a series of computerized questionnaires 7 times over a one-year period.

Dr. Laura Clark (Atlanta, Georgia)

Vulvodynia: Understanding characteristics, pain and effects

Laura Clark, PhD drlauraclark@vulvodynia-pelvicpainsupport.com
Go to http://vulvodynia-pelvicpainsupport.com and click on the appropriate link for women with vulvodynia, women without vulvodynia, and partners of women with vulvodynia.

Eligible participants should be age 18 or older and have access to a private internet connection. Participants will be asked to complete an online vulvodynia survey for women with and without vulvodynia and for partners of women with vulvodynia.

University of Ottawa (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)

Sexual health of women with vaginismus and provoked vestibulodynia

Rebecca Cherner
(613-562-5800 ext 2220
sexualhealth@uottawa.ca
Elke Reissing, PhD
613-562-5800 ext. 4944
elke.reissing@uottawa.ca

Women (age 18-44) who have always had difficulty with vaginal penetration or have had pain during at least half of all intercourse occasions are invited to participate in a research project on genital pain at the School of Psychology of the University of Ottawa.

Participation involves:

• 2 visits to the laboratory at the University of Ottawa

• completing a set of questionnaires

• watching film clips while physical reaction is measured (no physical contact)

This research is supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and approved by the University of Ottawa Research Ethics Board.

You will be compensated for your time and receive information on treatment options.

University of Ottawa (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)

An Internet Survey on the Impact of Vulvodynia in Lesbian, Bisexual and other Sexual-Minority Women

Heather Andruff, BA, PhD Candidate
613-562-5800 ext. 4449
heather.andruff@uottawa.ca
Elke Reissing, PhD
613-562-5800 ext. 4944
elke.reissing@uottawa.ca

The University of Ottawa is seeking lesbian, bisexual and other sexual minority women (e.g. queer, unlabeled, nonheterosexual, etc.) who are currently experiencing vulvo-vaginal pain, genital pain, and/or pain during vaginal penetration (with fingers, sex toys, penis, tampons, etc.) to participate in an online research study. In order to participate, women need to be 18 years of age or older.

Eligible participants will complete an anonymous and confidential online survey that includes questions on the current experience of vulvo-vaginal pain, gynecological history including a consultation history, sexual functioning, relationship satisfaction and demographic information. This survey should take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

This research is supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and approved by the University of Ottawa Research Ethics Board.

Women who are interested in participating are asked to visit the University of Ottawa’s Human Sexuality Website for more information and to complete the survey (www.sciencessociales.uottawa.ca/hslab-labosh/eng ).

McGill University (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)

Pain or discomfort during intercourse in postmenopausal women

Alina Kao
514-398-5323 or akao@ego.psych.mcgill.ca

McGill University and the Department of OBGYN at the Jewish General Hospital are seeking postmenopausal women aged 45 to 65 who experience pain during sexual intercourse to participate in a research study to examine this problem.

The study involves answering questionnaires and a session which will last around 2.5 to 3 hours. Participation during the session includes: 1) a structured interview 2) a sensory testing session 3) a gynecological examination; 4) a blood test. Some pain may be experienced during the procedures, but no other health risks are posed.

Participants will be reimbursed for their expenses and receive information on different treatment options.

McGill University (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)

The present study is interested in investigating the role fear and pain play in vaginismus and vulvar vestibulitis syndrome.

Marie-Andree Lahaie, PhD Candidate
514-398-5323 or dede@ego.psych.mcgill.ca

The Departments of Psychology at McGill University and of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Jewish General Hospital are interested in seeking women aged 18 to 40 who are unable to experience vaginal penetration as well as women who suffer from pain during sexual intercourse. The study involves a 3-hour session including: 1) a structured interview and questionnaires; 2) physiological monitoring (heart rate, skin conductance, respiration, and muscle tension; 3) a gynecological examination; 4) sensory testing session. Some minor pain may be experienced during the procedures, but no other health risks are posed. Participants will receive $75 for compensation and information on different treatment options.

Université de Montréal (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)

The impact of relationship variables on vulvo-vaginal pain and psychosexual functioning in afflicted women and their partners.

Gaëlle Piché 514-343-6111 ext. 47688 or gaelle.piche@hotmail.fr or desrosiers.mylene@uqam.ca

Université de Montréal and the Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal – Notre-Dame and Saint-Luc Pavilions are looking for women suffering from provoked vulvodynia (vestibulodynia) who are 18 or older and co-habiting or married.  French and English speaking participants are welcome.  Women and their partners will fill out questionnaires at home (about 60 minutes) and will send them back by mail to the research team.  All the information collected will be dealt with confidentially and with anonymity.  A thirty-minute telephone consultation with a sex therapist specialized in the treatment of vestibulodynia, member of the research team, will be offered to participating couples as a form of compensation.  The couples will thus be able to acquire information about vulvo-vaginal pain.

This study is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

Queen’s University (Kingston, Ontario, Canada)

Study on pain, relationship, sexual, and psychological function among women with vulvodynia

Sexual Health Research Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Queen’s University (Kingston, Ontario, Canada); 613-533-3276 or shrl@queensu.ca

Queen’s University is seeking women over the age of 18 years who experience chronic genital pain or pain during sexual intercourse to participate in an online research study. Partners of women are also encouraged to participate in this study. However, women do not need to be involved in a current relationship to participate. 

Potential participants will complete a brief telephone screening interview (approximately 20 minutes) to ensure eligibility for the study. All calls are treated with strict confidentiality.

Subsequently, eligible participants will complete an anonymous online survey that includes questions pertaining to pain, psychological health, body image, relationship adjustment, and sexual function. This survey should take approximately 90 minutes for women with pain to complete, and 60 minutes for partners. All the information collected from this study will be kept confidential and in a secure, password-protected database.

Women are paid CAN $10.00 for their participation upon completion of the survey. We are also looking for couples for this study! As an added bonus, women whose partners also complete the study will be paid CAN $15.00 (instead of CAN $10.00). Partners will also receive CAN $15.00 for completing the study.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Caroline Pukall, PhD (caroline.pukall@queensu.ca; 613-533-3200) or Kelly Smith, MA, PhD Candidate (2kbs@queensu.ca; 613-533-3276), or Joan Stevenson, PhD, Chair of the General Ethics Research Board, Queen’s University (stevensj@queensu.ca; 613-533-6288).

Genetic and vulvar tissue study.

Anna Ghizzani, MD
0577-596203
ghizzani@unisi.it                                  

Women with vulvar pain, aged 18-65 years, can participate.  Participation involves structured interviews and questionnaires, a gynaecological examination and genetic blood test.  Patients will be offered multi-modal therapeutic interventions based on the acquired data.