Grant: Doctoral: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Chronic pain is an unpleasant experience that is difficult to treat. Accurate classification of pain conditions drives treatment, as similar conditions respond similarly to treatment. The first step of pain classification is assessment, which begins with an extensive pain history. Pain can have elements of nociception and neuropathy, each requiring considerably different treatment approaches. If neuropathic pain is suspected, confirmatory tests are conducted. Standardized techniques and measures should be used to investigate the nature of pain conditions and justify use of certain treatments. Despite the availability of quality assessment tools, many conditions have not been fully explored. One such condition is vulvodynia (i.e., female genital pain). Although research suggests that it is best classified as a chronic pain condition, no systematic study has determined what type of pain it is. The next step is to determine if this condition is neuropathic (resulting from dysfunction of the nervous system) or nociceptive (resulting from factors outside the nervous system). To address this, I am conducting multiple studies examining various subtypes of vulvodynia, and comparing results to women suffering from an established neuropathic pain condition, postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). First, I am conducting an online survey using a series of validated questionnaires to assess neuropathic and nociceptive pain characteristics and functional disturbances. Next, women with PVD and PHN will take part in an in-person sensory testing study including a gynecological assessment by a genital pain specialist. Finally, this information will be combined and presented to a neuropathic pain specialist for formal diagnosis. The results of this study will change how vulvodynia is understood, researched, and treated. It may also lead to the development of a diagnostic tool for physicians that will improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes.