Vulvar Health Research at OHSU

In addition to providing clinical care to women with complicated vulvar problems, faculty within the CWH’s  Vulvar Program maintain an active interest in investigations into the etiology and novel treatment of these complex problems.  Additional research resources include the Women’s Health Research Unit (WHRU), the General Clinical research Unit (GCRC), and the Oregon National Primate Research Unit. To learn more about clinical trial opportunities in Women’s Health, contact the WHRU at 503 494-3666.

Current areas of research interest include both surgical (Goetsch) and non-surgical (Leclair) treatment of vulvar vestibulitis (localized vulvodynia), biologic markers and etiologic factors (Jensen), recurrent vaginitis (Leclair, Goetsch), and dermatoses (Leclair, Jensen).

Publications from our group:

• Goetsch M.  Patients' Assessments of a Superficial Modified Vestibulectomy for Vestibulodynia.  Journal of Reproductive Medicine Vol 53, Number 6, June 2008.
• Goetsch M. Surgery Combined With Muscle Therapy for Dyspareunia From Vulvar Vestibulitis. Journal of Reproductive Medicine Vol 52, Number 7, July 2007.
• Leclair CM, Goetsch M, Lee K. Jensen JT. KTP-Nd: YAG Laser Therapy for the Treatment of Vestibulodynia: a Follow-up Study. Journal of Reproductive Medicine Vol 52, Number 1, January 2007.
• Jensen JT,  Bird M, Leclair CM. Patient satisfaction following treatment of vulvovaginal erosive lichen planus with topical clobetasol and tacrolimus:  a survey study.  Am J Ob/Gyn. 2004;190(6):1752-1758
• Jensen JT,  Wilder K, Carr K, Romm J, Hansen A. Quality Of Life and Sexual Function Following Evaluation and Treatment at a Referral Center for Vulvovaginal Disorders.  American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2003;188(6):1629-37.
• Hansen A, Carr K, Jensen JT. Characteristics and initial diagnoses in women presenting to a referral center for vulvovaginal disorders in 1996-2000. J Reprod Med 2002;47(10):854-60.
• Leclair CM, Jensen JT. A Systematic Approach to Vulvodynia. Current Women's Health Reviews 2005 Nov; 1(3): 209-16.
• Goetsch M.Vulvar Vestibulitis: Prevalence and Historic Features in a General Gynecologic Practice Population.  Am J Obstet Gynecol 164(6):1609-1616, June 1991.
• Goetsch M.Simplified Surgical Revision of the Vulvar Vestibule for Vulvar Vestibulitis,
  Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1174(6):1701-1707, June1996.
• Goetsch M. Postpartum Dyspareunia-An Unexplored Problem, Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 44;963-8, December, 1999.
• Goetsch M. The effect of total hysterectomy on specific sexual sensations, Am J Obstet Gynecol,192(6):1922-28, June 2005.
• Goetsch M. Vulvar Vestibulitis, Contemporary Ob Gyn, 44(10):56-63, October, 1999  
• Romm J and Jensen J. Incidence of Vaginismus in Patients Evaluated in Vulvar Pain Clinic (Abstract), Women's Health Journal, 5:4:239-240, Winter 1995.

Electronic Publications (peer reviewed)

• Leclair CM, Jensen JT.  Vulvodynia. [Date accessed: 2004 Nov 19] In: PIER [online database]. Philadelphia, American College of Physicians, 2004.