Currently, the pathogenesis of Localized Provoked Vulvodynia (LPV) has not been elucidated. Few observations may point to involvement of the microbiome: the association of LPV with preceding chronic recurrent candidiasis, and the reports of the beneficial effect of a diet avoiding oxalate on Vulvodynia. Studies in the new field of microbiome research focus on the composition of overall microorganisms in our body and their impacts on our health. Changes in the composition of the vaginal microbiota (dysbiosis) have been linked with different health and disease states. We have also shown recently that women can be divided into 2 groups according to the composition of their vaginal microbiome. The proposed study will compare the vaginal microbiome of women with severe LPV, not treated by diet and otherwise healthy, to women without LPV (we will also compare our results to the NIH HMP data). Vaginal pH and date of menstrual cycle will be checked. We propose that dysbiosis in the vaginal microbiota may trigger the development of LPV.
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Change in vaginal microbiome composition of women with localized provoked vulvodynia following three months of low oxalate diet
Timeframe: Within one week after three months of low oxalate diet