Inflammation, lipid dysregulation, and transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 4 signaling perpetuate chronic vulvar pain.

Localized provoked vulvodynia is characterized by chronic vulvar pain that disrupts every aspect of the patient's life. Pain is localized to the vulvar vestibule, a specialized ring of tissue immediately surrounding the vaginal opening involved in immune defense. In this article, we show inflammation is the critical first step necessary for the generation of pain signals in the vulva.