To diagnose Vulvodynia, medical specialists will carefully review your medical history. You will be asked questions about your symptoms, sexual activity, diet, feminine hygiene, previous medical problems and medication use. Your doctor should also carefully examine the vulva, vagina and any vaginal secretions for other causes of your pain such as infections and skin disorders. Many doctors will perform routine fungal vaginal cultures to ensure that an infection is not causing or worsening any irritation or burning. A "q-tip test" may be administered during your exam. During this test, different areas of the vulva and vestibule are touched with a Q-tip to determine the location and severity of your pain. If your doctor sees areas of skin that look suspicious during your exam, a biopsy of the skin may be required. Additionally, he/she may look more closely through a magnifying glass at any abnormal lesions in the vulva or may recommend a colposcopy, a test in which an instrument is used to look at the vulva more closely.
