OBJECTIVE: Although vulvodynia occurs in approximately 7% of adult American 
women, we hypothesize that vulvodynia also occurs in young girls and that they 
respond to treatments that are similar to those used in women with this 
disorder.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective case study of vulvodynia in 
preadolescent girls seen in our referral practice. Records of all office visits 
and any telephone or e-mailed follow-up were reviewed.
RESULTS: Between October 1996 and April 2006, 6 girls ages 4 to 11 years were 
evaluated and diagnosed with vulvodynia. Pain had been present for several 
months to 7 years, and most patients had been seen by several physicians before 
having this diagnosis made. Treatment was typically initiated with a tricyclic 
antidepressant, and 5 of the 6 girls noted improvement in their symptoms, 
including 2 who had marked improvement, and another 3 with substantial 
improvement who were able to discontinue therapy without a recurrence.
CONCLUSIONS: Vulvodynia does occur among young girls and, when treated as a 
neuropathic pain disorder, was found to dramatically improve or remit in the 
majority of those treated in this small case series. This underrecognized 
disorder should be considered in cases of ongoing vulvar discomfort, regardless 
of age.