Dear ISSWSH Members
Since the previous terminology of vulvodynia was accepted by the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disorders (ISSVD) in 2003, studies have explored possible causative factors and treatment options. The International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH), The International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disorders (ISSVD) and the International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS) believed there was an unmet medical need for a comprehensive, evidence-based set of vulvovaginal pain diagnoses that can be easily utilized by both expert and non-expert healthcare providers to establish diagnoses in their patients and to guide treatment. Therefore we discussed the possibility of revision of 2003 terminology and organized an ISSWSH sponsored international meeting in order to reach a consensus on the terminology of vulvar pain, April 8 - 9, 2015 in Annapolis, Maryland. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the National Vulvodynia Association (NVA) were also represented.
Since the previous terminology of vulvodynia was accepted by the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disorders (ISSVD) in 2003, studies have explored possible causative factors and treatment options. The International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH), The International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disorders (ISSVD) and the International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS) believed there was an unmet medical need for a comprehensive, evidence-based set of vulvovaginal pain diagnoses that can be easily utilized by both expert and non-expert healthcare providers to establish diagnoses in their patients and to guide treatment. Therefore we discussed the possibility of revision of 2003 terminology and organized an ISSWSH sponsored international meeting in order to reach a consensus on the terminology of vulvar pain, April 8 - 9, 2015 in Annapolis, Maryland. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the National Vulvodynia Association (NVA) were also represented.