Editing Vulvodynia (section)

==Signs and symptoms==
Pain is the most notable symptom of vulvodynia, and can be characterized as a burning, stinging, irritation or sharp pain that occurs in the [[vulva]] and entrance to the [[vagina]]. It may be constant, intermittent or happen only when the vulva is touched, but vulvodynia usually has a long duration.<ref name=":0" />

Symptoms may occur in one place ("localized") or the entire vulvar area ("generalized"). It can occur during or after sexual activity, when [[tampons]] are inserted, or when prolonged pressure is applied to the vulva, such as during sitting, bike riding, or horseback riding.<ref>{{cite news | title = Vulvodynia and Genital Pain | url = http://www.center4research.org/2010/03/vulvodynia-and-genital-pain/ | access-date = 2009-08-27 | date = October 2007 | author = National Research Center for Women and Families | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110725153526/http://www.center4research.org/2010/03/vulvodynia-and-genital-pain/ | archive-date = 25 July 2011| author-link = National Research Center for Women and Families }}</ref> The pain can be provoked by touch ("provoked") or constant ("unprovoked"). Some cases of vulvodynia are [[Idiopathy|idiopathic]] where no specific cause can be determined.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Persistent Vulvar Pain|url=https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2016/09/persistent-vulvar-pain|access-date=30 October 2020|website=American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists}}</ref>

===Vestibulodynia===
{{Main|Vestibulodynia}}

Vestibulodynia, formerly known as vulvar vestibulitis syndrome (VVS), or simply vulvar vestibulitis,<ref>{{cite journal |pmid=15568398 |year=2004 |last1=Moyal-Barracco |first1=M |title=2003 ISSVD terminology and classification of vulvodynia: A historical perspective |journal=The Journal of Reproductive Medicine |volume=49 |issue=10 |pages=772–7 |last2=Lynch |first2=P. J. }}</ref> refers to pain localized to the [[vulval vestibule|vestibular]] region. It tends to be associated with a highly localized "burning" or "cutting" type of pain.

Vestibulodynia is the most common subtype of vulvodynia that affects premenopausal women – the syndrome has been cited as affecting about 10%–15% of women seeking gynecological care.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1080/02674659708408174 |title=The treatment of vulvar vestibulitis syndrome: Towards a multimodal approach |journal=Sexual and Marital Therapy |volume=12 |issue=4 |pages=305–311 |year=1997 |last1=Bergeron |first1=Sophie |last2=Binik |first2=Yitzchak M. |last3=Khalifé |first3=Samir |last4=Meana |first4=Marta |last5=Berkley |first5=Karen J. |last6=Pagidas |first6=Kelly }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1097/00002508-199703000-00006 |pmid=9084950 |title=Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome: A Critical Review |journal=The Clinical Journal of Pain |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=27–42 |year=1997 |last1=Bergeron |first1=Sophie |last2=Binik |first2=Yitzchak M. |last3=Khalifé |first3=Samir |last4=Pagidas |first4=Kelly }}</ref>

===Clitorodynia===

The pain of vulvodynia may extend into the [[clitoris]]; this is referred to as [[clitorodynia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nva.org/what-is-vulvodynia/|title=What is Vulvodynia?|website=The National Vulvodynia Association|access-date=2019-01-29}}</ref> Clitorodynia may be sometimes caused by [[clitoral|clitoris]] adhesions, a condition where the hood of the clitoris becomes stuck to the clitoris itself. Symptoms may include pain, hypersenstivity, hyposensitivity, difficulty with arousal, muted or absent orgasm. Clitoral adhesions are common among female patients with [[lichen sclerosus]], but also occur among the general population.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Romanello |first1=Jennifer |last2=Myers |first2=Monica |last3=Nico |first3=Elsa |last4=Rubin |first4=Rachel |journal=Sexual Medicine Reviews |date=March 2023 |volume=11 |issue=3 |title=Clitoral adhesions: a review of the literature |pages=196–201 |url=https://academic.oup.com/smr/article-abstract/11/3/196/7087163?redirectedFrom=PDF&casa_token=4N18Cq_HLWgAAAAA:8ADgli4HWPwXtmHI9U7RDf9T3S6uqVdLZJf-k0dcjwdKlFWFNUO4DNewRmQNQkGYQCQOVXliYVbx#409757386 |doi=10.1093/sxmrev/qead004 |pmid=36973166 |access-date=29 March 2024}}</ref> The prevalence of clitoral adhesions is unknown. Clitorodynia has been neglected in medical research and under-recognized in clincical practice.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gross |first1=Rachel |title=News: Half the World Has a Clitoris. Why... (The New York Times) - Behind the headlines - NLM |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/17461/#:~:text=Why%20Don't%20Doctors%20Study%20It%3F&text=The%20organ%20is%20%E2%80%9Ccompletely%20ignored,devastating%20to%20women's%20sexual%20health. |access-date=29 March 2024 |work=NCBI |agency=The New York Times |date=October 2022 |language=en}}</ref>