THE NEW CONSENSUS TERMINOLOGY OF CHRONIC VULVAR PAIN AND VULVODYNIA

We review the process of establishing the new terminology of persistent vulvar pain and vulvodynia. Three international scientific societies: the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease - ISSVD, the International Society for The Study of Women's Sexual Health - ISSWSH, and the International Pelvic Pain Society - IPPS, prepared a consensus terminology of vulvar pain and vulvodynia. This terminology includes the definition of vulvodynia, descriptors of the clinical presentation of vulvodynia, and evidence-based data on the possible causes of vulvodynia. The controversy behind the introduction of the possible causes of vulvodynia, a condition which was considered an idiopathic condition, is revealed. The inclusion of these possible causes has changed the paradigm enabling tailoring treatment.