Prevalence of vulvar and vaginal symptoms during pregnancy and the puerperium

Colleen M Kennedy; A. M. Turcea; Catherine S. Bradley

doi:10.1016/j.ijgo.2009.01.024

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Prevalence of vulvar and vaginal symptoms during pregnancy and the puerperium

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Prevalence of vulvar and vaginal symptoms during pregnancy and the puerperium

Colleen M Kennedy, A. M. Turcea and Catherine S. Bradley

International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Vol.105(3), pp.236-239

06/01/2009

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2009.01.024

PMID: 19275950

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http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgo.2009.01.024View

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Abstract

<p>OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of vulvar and vaginal symptoms during pregnancy and at 3 months post partum. METHODS: A prospective, longitudinal, descriptive study of 103 pregnant women was undertaken in which a self-administered questionnaire was completed at each trimester and 3 months post partum. Retrospective data was collected from 122 women, queried using similar tools, who comprised a nonpregnant control group. Descriptive and comparative statistics were employed. RESULTS: The prevalence of vulvar burning, itching, pain, and vaginal discharge generally increased during pregnancy, and improved postpartum. Dyspareunia increased during pregnancy, but remained elevated post partum. Compared with the historical nonpregnant group (adjusted for age, marital status, education, and smoking), dyspareunia was reported less often in the first trimester (P=0.03) and more often post partum (P<0.01). Furthermore, reports of vulvar pain and vaginal discharge were significantly greater during the second and third trimesters. CONCLUSIONS: Vulvar and vaginal symptoms are common during pregnancy, and the prevalence of some, but not all, increase during gestation and decrease post partum.</p>

Pregnancy

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Adolescent

Adult

Dyspareunia/epidemiology/etiology/physiopathology

Female

Follow-Up Studies

Humans

Iowa/epidemiology

Longitudinal Studies

Postpartum Period

Pregnancy Complications/epidemiology/physiopathology

Pregnancy Trimesters

Prevalence

Prospective Studies

Questionnaires

Retrospective Studies

Time Factors

Vaginal Diseases/epidemiology/etiology/physiopathology

Vulvar Diseases/epidemiology/etiology/physiopathology

Young Adult

Details

Title: Subtitle: Prevalence of vulvar and vaginal symptoms during pregnancy and the puerperium
Creators: Colleen M Kennedy - University of Iowa
A. M. Turcea
Catherine S. Bradley - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Vol.105(3), pp.236-239
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2009.01.024
PMID: 19275950
NLM abbreviation: Int J Gynaecol Obstet
ISSN: 1879-3479
Language: English
Date published: 06/01/2009
Academic Unit: Epidemiology; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Urology
Record Identifier: 9983557244402771

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19 Times Cited - Web of Science