Characteristic Overall, N = 511 Control, N = 161 LS/LP, N = 231 Vulvodynia, N = 121
1. Over the past month how itchy and/or painful and/or stinging and/or burning has your vulvar skin felt?
    A little 26 (51%) 4 (25%) 14 (61%) 8 (67%)
    A lot 4 (7.8%) 0 (0%) 4 (17%) 0 (0%)
    Never 14 (27%) 12 (75%) 2 (8.7%) 0 (0%)
    Very much 7 (14%) 0 (0%) 3 (13%) 4 (33%)
2. Over the past month, how often have you experienced any of the following: pain when urinating, heat intolerance, vaginal discharge, wetness?
    A little 17 (33%) 5 (31%) 8 (35%) 4 (33%)
    A lot 4 (7.8%) 0 (0%) 2 (8.7%) 2 (17%)
    Never 20 (39%) 11 (69%) 8 (35%) 1 (8.3%)
    Very much 10 (20%) 0 (0%) 5 (22%) 5 (42%)
3. Over the last month how embarrassed or self-conscious have you been because of your vulvar skin symptoms?
    A little 9 (18%) 0 (0%) 6 (26%) 3 (25%)
    A lot 3 (5.9%) 0 (0%) 1 (4.3%) 2 (17%)
    Never 31 (61%) 16 (100%) 12 (52%) 3 (25%)
    Very much 8 (16%) 0 (0%) 4 (17%) 4 (33%)
4. Over the past month how much has your vulvar skin impacted your body image or sense of self?
    A little 10 (20%) 0 (0%) 7 (30%) 3 (25%)
    A lot 6 (12%) 0 (0%) 2 (8.7%) 4 (33%)
    Never 26 (51%) 16 (100%) 9 (39%) 1 (8.3%)
    Very much 9 (18%) 0 (0%) 5 (22%) 4 (33%)
5. Over the last month how distressed or anxious have you felt because of your vulvar skin problem?
    A little 14 (27%) 1 (6.3%) 12 (52%) 1 (8.3%)
    A lot 3 (5.9%) 0 (0%) 1 (4.3%) 2 (17%)
    Never 23 (45%) 15 (94%) 6 (26%) 2 (17%)
    Very much 11 (22%) 0 (0%) 4 (17%) 7 (58%)
6. Over the last month how much has your vulvar skin problem influenced your choice of clothing?
    A little 6 (12%) 1 (6.3%) 4 (17%) 1 (8.3%)
    A lot 9 (18%) 0 (0%) 6 (26%) 3 (25%)
    Never 26 (51%) 15 (94%) 9 (39%) 2 (17%)
    Very much 10 (20%) 0 (0%) 4 (17%) 6 (50%)
7. Over the last month how much has your vulvar skin problem disturbed your sleep?
    A little 10 (20%) 0 (0%) 5 (22%) 5 (42%)
    A lot 2 (3.9%) 0 (0%) 1 (4.3%) 1 (8.3%)
    Never 35 (69%) 16 (100%) 14 (61%) 5 (42%)
    Very much 4 (7.8%) 0 (0%) 3 (13%) 1 (8.3%)
8. Over the last month how much has your vulvar skin problem made it difficult for you to go shopping, look after yourself or your family, home and garden?
    A little 7 (14%) 0 (0%) 2 (8.7%) 5 (42%)
    A lot 2 (3.9%) 0 (0%) 1 (4.3%) 1 (8.3%)
    Never 40 (78%) 16 (100%) 19 (83%) 5 (42%)
    Very much 2 (3.9%) 0 (0%) 1 (4.3%) 1 (8.3%)
9. Over the last month how much has your vulvar skin problem made it difficult for you to attend social or leisure engagements?
    A little 5 (9.8%) 0 (0%) 2 (8.7%) 3 (25%)
    A lot 2 (3.9%) 0 (0%) 1 (4.3%) 1 (8.3%)
    Never 40 (78%) 16 (100%) 18 (78%) 6 (50%)
    Very much 4 (7.8%) 0 (0%) 2 (8.7%) 2 (17%)
10. Over the last month how much has your vulvar skin problem interfered with your ability to concentrate on work or study?
    A little 5 (9.8%) 0 (0%) 3 (13%) 2 (17%)
    A lot 5 (9.8%) 0 (0%) 2 (8.7%) 3 (25%)
    Never 37 (73%) 16 (100%) 16 (70%) 5 (42%)
    Very much 4 (7.8%) 0 (0%) 2 (8.7%) 2 (17%)
11. Over the last month how much has your vulvar skin problem created problems with a partner or precluded you from pursuing a romantic relationship?
    A little 3 (5.9%) 0 (0%) 3 (13%) 0 (0%)
    A lot 8 (16%) 0 (0%) 4 (17%) 4 (33%)
    Never 29 (57%) 16 (100%) 12 (52%) 1 (8.3%)
    Very much 11 (22%) 0 (0%) 4 (17%) 7 (58%)
12. Over the last month how much has your vulvar skin problem interfered with your sex life?
    A little 5 (9.8%) 0 (0%) 4 (17%) 1 (8.3%)
    A lot 7 (14%) 0 (0%) 5 (22%) 2 (17%)
    Never 26 (51%) 16 (100%) 9 (39%) 1 (8.3%)
    Very much 13 (25%) 0 (0%) 5 (22%) 8 (67%)
13. Over the last month how often have you felt distressed or worried about sex because of your vulvar skin?
    A little 7 (14%) 0 (0%) 5 (22%) 2 (17%)
    A lot 7 (14%) 0 (0%) 4 (17%) 3 (25%)
    Never 26 (51%) 16 (100%) 9 (39%) 1 (8.3%)
    Very much 11 (22%) 0 (0%) 5 (22%) 6 (50%)
14. How often in the last month have you been worried about long-term health implications of your vulvar skin condition?
    A little 16 (31%) 1 (6.3%) 14 (61%) 1 (8.3%)
    A lot 4 (7.8%) 0 (0%) 3 (13%) 1 (8.3%)
    Never 23 (45%) 15 (94%) 2 (8.7%) 6 (50%)
    Very much 8 (16%) 0 (0%) 4 (17%) 4 (33%)
15. Over the past month, how much of a problem has the treatment of your vulvar symptoms been?
    A little 15 (29%) 0 (0%) 10 (43%) 5 (42%)
    A lot 5 (9.8%) 0 (0%) 3 (13%) 2 (17%)
    Never 29 (57%) 16 (100%) 10 (43%) 3 (25%)
    Very much 2 (3.9%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 2 (17%)
16. In which stage of menstruation are you?
    Peri-Menopausal 6 (13%) 2 (13%) 2 (8.7%) 2 (20%)
    Post-Menopausal 29 (60%) 6 (40%) 20 (87%) 3 (30%)
    Pre-Menopausal 13 (27%) 7 (47%) 1 (4.3%) 5 (50%)
17. How long have you been on topical steroids?
    0-3 years 11 (22%) 1 (6.3%) 6 (26%) 4 (33%)
    10+ years 6 (12%) 0 (0%) 5 (22%) 1 (8.3%)
    3-5 years 8 (16%) 0 (0%) 8 (35%) 0 (0%)
    5-10 years 3 (5.9%) 0 (0%) 3 (13%) 0 (0%)
    I have not been on topical steroids 23 (45%) 15 (94%) 1 (4.3%) 7 (58%)
V2:1. Over the past month how itchy and/or painful and/or stinging and/or burning has your vulvar skin felt?
    A little 8 (31%) 2 (18%) 3 (30%) 3 (60%)
    A lot 4 (15%) 0 (0%) 3 (30%) 1 (20%)
    Never 13 (50%) 9 (82%) 3 (30%) 1 (20%)
    Very much 1 (3.8%) 0 (0%) 1 (10%) 0 (0%)
V2:2. Over the past month, how often have you experienced any of the following: pain when urinating, heat intolerance, vaginal discharge, wetness?
    A little 6 (24%) 1 (9.1%) 2 (22%) 3 (60%)
    A lot 5 (20%) 1 (9.1%) 3 (33%) 1 (20%)
    Never 13 (52%) 9 (82%) 3 (33%) 1 (20%)
    Very much 1 (4.0%) 0 (0%) 1 (11%) 0 (0%)
V2:3. Over the last month how embarrassed or self-conscious have you been because of your vulvar skin symptoms?
    A little 2 (8.0%) 0 (0%) 1 (10%) 1 (25%)
    A lot 4 (16%) 0 (0%) 3 (30%) 1 (25%)
    Never 17 (68%) 11 (100%) 5 (50%) 1 (25%)
    Very much 2 (8.0%) 0 (0%) 1 (10%) 1 (25%)
V2:4. Over the past month how much has your vulvar skin impacted your body image or sense of self?
    A little 3 (12%) 0 (0%) 1 (10%) 2 (40%)
    A lot 3 (12%) 0 (0%) 2 (20%) 1 (20%)
    Never 17 (65%) 11 (100%) 5 (50%) 1 (20%)
    Very much 3 (12%) 0 (0%) 2 (20%) 1 (20%)
V2:5. Over the last month how distressed or anxious have you felt because of your vulvar skin problem?
    A little 6 (23%) 0 (0%) 5 (50%) 1 (20%)
    A lot 2 (7.7%) 0 (0%) 1 (10%) 1 (20%)
    Never 15 (58%) 11 (100%) 2 (20%) 2 (40%)
    Very much 3 (12%) 0 (0%) 2 (20%) 1 (20%)
V2:6. Over the last month how much has your vulvar skin problem influenced your choice of clothing?
    A little 3 (12%) 1 (9.1%) 1 (10%) 1 (20%)
    A lot 1 (3.8%) 0 (0%) 1 (10%) 0 (0%)
    Never 18 (69%) 10 (91%) 6 (60%) 2 (40%)
    Very much 4 (15%) 0 (0%) 2 (20%) 2 (40%)
V2:7. Over the last month how much has your vulvar skin problem disturbed your sleep?
    A little 6 (23%) 0 (0%) 3 (30%) 3 (60%)
    Never 18 (69%) 11 (100%) 5 (50%) 2 (40%)
    Very much 2 (7.7%) 0 (0%) 2 (20%) 0 (0%)
V2:8. Over the last month how much has your vulvar skin problem made it difficult for you to go shopping, look after yourself or your family, home and garden?
    A little 2 (7.7%) 0 (0%) 1 (10%) 1 (20%)
    A lot 1 (3.8%) 0 (0%) 1 (10%) 0 (0%)
    Never 22 (85%) 11 (100%) 7 (70%) 4 (80%)
    Very much 1 (3.8%) 0 (0%) 1 (10%) 0 (0%)
V2:9. Over the last month how much has your vulvar skin problem made it difficult for you to attend social or leisure engagements?
    A little 4 (15%) 0 (0%) 1 (10%) 3 (60%)
    A lot 1 (3.8%) 0 (0%) 1 (10%) 0 (0%)
    Never 20 (77%) 11 (100%) 7 (70%) 2 (40%)
    Very much 1 (3.8%) 0 (0%) 1 (10%) 0 (0%)
V2:10. Over the last month how much has your vulvar skin problem interfered with your ability to concentrate on work or study?
    A little 3 (12%) 0 (0%) 1 (10%) 2 (40%)
    Never 21 (81%) 11 (100%) 8 (80%) 2 (40%)
    Very much 2 (7.7%) 0 (0%) 1 (10%) 1 (20%)
V2:11. Over the last month how much has your vulvar skin problem created problems with a partner or precluded you from pursuing a romantic relationship?
    A little 4 (15%) 0 (0%) 1 (10%) 3 (60%)
    A lot 2 (7.7%) 0 (0%) 1 (10%) 1 (20%)
    Never 18 (69%) 11 (100%) 7 (70%) 0 (0%)
    Very much 2 (7.7%) 0 (0%) 1 (10%) 1 (20%)
V2:12. Over the last month how much has your vulvar skin problem interfered with your sex life?
    A lot 3 (12%) 0 (0%) 2 (20%) 1 (20%)
    Never 17 (65%) 11 (100%) 5 (50%) 1 (20%)
    Very much 6 (23%) 0 (0%) 3 (30%) 3 (60%)
V2:13. Over the last month how often have you felt distressed or worried about sex because of your vulvar skin?
    A little 2 (7.7%) 0 (0%) 1 (10%) 1 (20%)
    A lot 2 (7.7%) 0 (0%) 2 (20%) 0 (0%)
    Never 18 (69%) 11 (100%) 6 (60%) 1 (20%)
    Very much 4 (15%) 0 (0%) 1 (10%) 3 (60%)
V2:14. How often in the last month have you been worried about long-term health implications of your vulvar skin condition?
    A little 5 (19%) 0 (0%) 5 (50%) 0 (0%)
    A lot 3 (12%) 0 (0%) 3 (30%) 0 (0%)
    Never 16 (62%) 11 (100%) 1 (10%) 4 (80%)
    Very much 2 (7.7%) 0 (0%) 1 (10%) 1 (20%)
V2:15. Over the past month, how much of a problem has the treatment of your vulvar symptoms been?
    A little 5 (19%) 0 (0%) 3 (30%) 2 (40%)
    A lot 2 (7.7%) 0 (0%) 1 (10%) 1 (20%)
    Never 16 (62%) 11 (100%) 4 (40%) 1 (20%)
    Very much 3 (12%) 0 (0%) 2 (20%) 1 (20%)
V2:16. In which stage of menstruation are you?
    Peri-Menopausal 2 (8.7%) 1 (11%) 0 (0%) 1 (20%)
    Post-Menopausal 15 (65%) 5 (56%) 9 (100%) 1 (20%)
    Pre-Menopausal 6 (26%) 3 (33%) 0 (0%) 3 (60%)
V2:17. How long have you been on topical steroids?
    0-3 years 4 (15%) 1 (9.1%) 2 (20%) 1 (20%)
    10+ years 5 (19%) 0 (0%) 4 (40%) 1 (20%)
    3-5 years 2 (7.7%) 0 (0%) 2 (20%) 0 (0%)
    5-10 years 1 (3.8%) 0 (0%) 1 (10%) 0 (0%)
    I have not been on topical steroids 14 (54%) 10 (91%) 1 (10%) 3 (60%)
1 n (%)