Background: Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is a chronic pain condition affecting the vulvar vestibule, often triggered by minimal touch or pressure. It is underdiagnosed and poorly understood, leading to significant impacts on women’s quality of life. Objective: This study aims to identify the demographic and clinical characteristics of PVD among women in Israel. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire completed by a self-selected sample of adult women. Weighted estimates of vulvodynia prevalence and characteristics were determined. Results: Out of 250 participants, 196 women (78%) met the diagnostic criteria for PVD. High rates of comorbid conditions were observed, including depression (33%), anxiety (43.3%), and other comorbidities (60%). The mean time from first consulting a physician to diagnosis was 2.5 years, with symptoms persisting for an average of 8 years. Physical therapy emerged as the most effective treatment modality. Conclusions: PVD is a challenging condition to diagnose and treat, often leading to significant delays in diagnosis and prolonged suffering. The high prevalence of comorbid conditions underscores the need for comprehensive treatment approaches. Improved diagnostic protocols and more effective treatment options are essential to enhance the quality of life for women with PVD.

BACKGROUND:The Pilates method has various health benefits, including reducing kinesiophobia, alleviating pain intensity, and improving disability among individuals with low back pain. Additionally, it has been shown to positively impact mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and fatigue. However, the safety and efficacy of practicing Pilates during pregnancy have not been clearly established. AIM:This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of Pilates exercises for women during pregnancy. METHODS:A comprehensive search for relevant articles was conducted in three databases: PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO. Titles, abstracts, and full texts were reviewed, resulting in the identification of 25 relevant studies. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS:The findings indicate that Pilates is a safe physical activity during pregnancy, offering various health benefits for pregnant women. In the absence of contraindications, pregnant women can initiate Pilates practice from the first trimester, starting at a low intensity and gradually increasing the intensity of exercises and the duration of training sessions. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women exercise at least 3-4 times per week, lasting 30-60 min each session.

Background: As yet, no Hebrew language vulvar functional status questionnaire exists. Aims: To perform a cross-cultural adaptation of a Hebrew version of the Vulvar Functional Status Questionnaire (VQ), a validated tool used for evaluating dyspareunia among women, and to evaluate the psychometric properties of this version by examining the correlations between results of the questionnaire among women with pain during intercourse and quality of life, level of anxiety, and pelvic floor function. Methods: The English version of the VQ underwent cross-cultural adaptation to Hebrew according to accepted guidelines. Eighty Hebrew-speaking women with vulvar pain, aged older than 18 years, participated in the study. Participants completed the VQ-Hebrew (VQ-H) (see Supplemental Digital Content, available at: http://links.lww.com/JWHPT/A89), the Hebrew versions of the health-related quality-of-life questionnaire (SF-12), the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ-12), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). All the participants completed the VQ-H again after 2 to 3 weeks. Psychometric properties (test-retest reliability, internal consistency, convergent validity, and factor analysis) were calculated. Results: The VQ-H demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability: intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.898 to 0.958 ( P < .001); the Cronbach α was excellent (0.935). A significant correlation was found between the VQ-H and SF-12 scores ( r =−0.360, P = .001). However, the correlation between the VQ-H and STAI and PISQ-12 scores was not statistically significant ( r = 0.172, P = .127 and r =−0.185, P = .100, respectively). Factor analysis revealed a 4-factor solution representing daily function and pain provoked by or related to various activities. Conclusion: The VQ-H is a valid and reliable instrument. Its scores reflect the impaired function in all domains of vulvar pain among Hebrew-speaking women.

Background . Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that has a significant negative impact on the lives of women, causing them pain, anxiety, depression, and a decreased quality of life (QoL). Studies have shown that the practice of yoga with provide relief from lower back pain, menopausal symptoms, stress, and depression. Further, they indicate that it may ameliorate the effects of endometriosis. Objective . The study aimed to examine the effect of practicing endometriosis yoga on the stress and QoL of women diagnosed with endometriosis. Design . This was an AB design study which included 52 women diagnosed with endometriosis. Setting . The research was conducted twice a week online. Participants . Forty-two (42) women participated in the study and were included in the analysis. Interventions . The program included eight weeks of conventional therapy, followed by eight weeks of 90-minute endometriosis yoga classes held twice a week. The women served as their own control group. Their symptoms were assessed at three time points: prior to two months of conservative treatment, after two months of conservative treatment, and following two months of the conservative treatment and yoga intervention. The outcome measures were the Endometriosis Health Profile (EHP-30), a numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), and intensity of bleeding during the last menstrual period. Results . All outcome measures improved after the women completed the endometriosis yoga intervention. The EHP-30 and NPRS questionnaire scores were lower after the intervention program (P =.001) as was the bloodflow intensity (P =.019). Conclusions . The practice of endometriosis yoga is recommended for women with endometriosis to reduce levels of pain and stress and to improve QoL (Altern Ther Health Med. 2023;29(3):8-14).

Objective: Almost 50% of women with one or more children experience pelvic organ prolapse, and physical therapy for pelvic floor rehabilitation is one of the first-line treatments for women with pelvic organ prolapse seeking medical care.This study aimed to investigate whether ultraorthodox women would proceed with pelvic floor rehabilitation taking into account Jewish religious laws-Halacha-or medical motivations. Materials and Methods:Between January and May 2015, 65 ultra-orthodox women aged 20-65 undergoing pelvic floor rehabilitation completed a questionnaire regarding their pelvic floor function, religion, and treatment motivations.Results: Most women considered both medical and Jewish religious law reasons for seeking treatment for pelvic organ prolapse (POP).Sixty-five women completed the survey.More women sought treatment taking into consideration both medical and Jewish religious law reasons, as opposed to medical or Jewish religious law reasons alone.Upholding religious commandments was an important factor in seeking medical treatment.The motivation to seek treatment for POP symptoms usually involves both medical and religious law reasons in ultra-orthodox Jewish women.The study's strength is that it is novel in examining the religious motivations for seeking therapy for symptoms associated with POP.However, no control group was included in this study, which is a limitation. Conclusion:The findings indicate that Jewish religious law motivations were an extremely important factor among ultra-orthodox women presenting for pelvic floor rehabilitation.

Introduction and hypothesis Vitamin D receptors are found in skeletal and smooth muscle cells throughout the body, specifically in the bladder detrusor muscle. We reviewed the current literature on the association between vitamin D deficiency and urinary incontinence (UI), and whether vitamin D supplementation plays a role in the treatment of UI symptoms. Methods We performed a scoping review of all available studies. PubMed, Google Scholar, and PEDro databases were searched from inception until August 2020 with the keywords "urinary incontinence," "pelvic floor disorders," "lower urinary tract symptoms," "overactive bladder," and various terms for vitamin D. No language restrictions were imposed. The reference lists of all retrieved articles were also searched. Results The search revealed 12 studies of different research methodologies after elimination. In 6 out of the 7 cross-sectional studies reviewed, a significant association between vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency and the onset and severity of UI was found. In 2 out of the 3 prospective studies included, no association between vitamin D intake and UI was found; however, both randomized controlled trials that were reviewed found that vitamin D supplementation is effective for the treatment of UI. Conclusions The existing literature supports an association between low levels of serum vitamin D and UI. Initial evidence regarding the effect of vitamin D supplementation on UI is accumulating, yet additional, comprehensive research is warranted to establish these findings.

Objectives: To examine the association between dysmenorrhea and musculoskeletal pain amongst university students aged 20-35 and the association between dysmenorrhea and the occurrence of MTrPs. Methods: The study comprised two stages: a cross-sectional study evaluated the association between dysmenorrhea and musculoskeletal pain and a case-control study evaluated the association between dysmenorrhea and the occurrence of MTrPs in the abdominal and pelvic area. Initially, questionnaires such as demographics, menstruation characteristics, Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), measuring the average pain during menstruation and Nordic, were distributed to female students. Twenty subjects who suffered from menstrual pain of >3 on the NPRS (ones with the highest scores) were included in the second stage as cases. An additional 20 who had not suffered from menstrual pain (NPRS <= 3) were considered controls. All 40 subjects underwent an assessment of MTrPs by two examiners blinded to each other's results and to the group allocation of the subjects. Results: We found that dysmenorrhea is a very prevalent condition among young female students. Most frequent complaints were: lower abdomen and back pain, tiredness, breast tenderness, mood changes, and an increased appetite. Pain during menstruation indicated a significant positive association with neck, low back, and hip/thigh pain during the last 12 months. The results of the palpitation conclusively showed more active MTrPs in the rectus abdominis, quadratus lumborum and paraspinal muscles in women suffering from pain during menstruation than in those who were not in pain. Conclusion: Our data provide an initial basis for the inclusion of a myofascial examination when evaluating women with dysmenorrhea. (c) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.