New treatments for vulvar pain in women

Transient Vanilloid Receptors and Vulvar Pain: New Therapeutic Targets for Vulvodynia

NIH-funded research University of Rochester · NIH-11123912

This study is looking at a common cause of pain during sex for women, called localized provoked vulvodynia, to find new ways to help relieve that pain without using addictive medications or surgery.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Rochester NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Rochester, United States)
Project IDNIH-11123912 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on localized provoked vulvodynia (LPV), a common cause of chronic pain during intercourse in premenopausal women. The study aims to identify new therapeutic targets by investigating the inflammatory responses in the vestibule, which is hypersensitive in LPV patients. By understanding the underlying mechanisms of pain and inflammation, the research seeks to develop non-addictive treatment options that can effectively alleviate symptoms without invasive procedures. Patients may be involved in trials that explore these new therapeutic interventions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are premenopausal women suffering from localized provoked vulvodynia.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have vulvodynia or those with other types of pelvic pain may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and targeted treatments for vulvar pain, improving the quality of life for affected women.

How similar studies have performed: While there has been some research into vulvodynia, this approach targeting specific inflammatory pathways is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Rochester, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.