The Use of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Vulvar Vestibulitis

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT02362763

Enrollment

Registered

2015-02-13

Start date

2006-06-30

Completion date

2007-06-30

Last updated

2015-02-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Vestibulodynia

Brief summary

Randomized controlled trial designed to determine whether acupuncture is an effective treatment for vestibulitis.

Detailed description

Patients were randomized to five acupuncture sessions designed to treat pain in the vulvar area (study group), or five acupuncture sessions designed for tranquility (controls). Participants and evaluating gynecologists were blinded to randomization. Participants were examined clinically before treatment and one month after completion of assigned treatment; at both visits they completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. FSFI scores for pain during intercourse and total score were used to evaluate change. The examining gynecologist evaluated the degree of sensitivity to touch and the degree of local erythema. Response to treatment was evaluated for each group before and after treatment, and for study group compared to the control group.

Interventions

PROCEDUREAcupuncture

Patients randomized to the study group received five sessions of acupuncture in a series of points in the lower abdomen, lower back, hands, and feet. This combination of acupoints is believed to impact on the genital area, raise the pain threshold, and counteract inflammation. Control group patients received five sessions of acupuncture at acupoints that are believed to have no influence on the genital area, but are believed to have a general sedative effect.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

FEMALE

Age

18 Years to 40 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Confirmed diagnosis of vestibulodynia

Exclusion criteria

* Pregnancy * Patient who received other treatment for vestibulodynia in the month preceding.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire	1 month after completion of the assigned treatment

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Clinical examination	1 month after completion of the assigned treatment	Visual presence or absence of vestibular erythema

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026