New treatments for vulvar pain in women
Official title: Transient Vanilloid Receptors and Vulvar Pain: New Therapeutic Targets for Vulvodynia
Funded at University of Rochester · NIH-11123912 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $561,401 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD108173-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11123912 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are premenopausal women suffering from localized provoked vulvodynia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have vulvodynia or those with other types of pelvic pain may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wood, Megan Lindsay Falsetta — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Wood, Megan Lindsay Falsetta
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.