Figure legends:
Figure 1 : Study flow diagram.
Figure 2 : With the wide swab stick in the posterior fornix, the
Q-tip test for diagnosing provoked vulvodynia was performed by applying
light pressure with a wet Q-tip applicator on seven vestibular foci
corresponding with 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 11 o’clock. The subjective
elicited pain was recorded using a numeric rating scale of 0 to 10.
Figure S1: The ganglia of the Frankenhauser and sacral plexuses
are supported by uterosacral ligaments (USLs) at their uterine end. The
nerves may be stimulated by gravity or by pelvic organ prolapse to fire,
which can be perceived as pain by the cortex. Supporting ligament laxity
with a wide swab tensions USLs sufficiently to support the nerve
plexuses, thereby relieving vulvodynia pain. L, ligament laxity.
Figure S2 : A lubricated narrow speculum was used to identify
the posterior fornix, and a wide swab stick was inserted through it.
Figure S3 : The speculum was removed, and the wide swab stick
was left in the posterior fornix. During trial manipulation, the
examiner applied pressure with a swab sufficiently wide to support the
posterior fornix, thereby temporarily providing support to the
uterosacral ligaments. During sham manipulation, the examiner inserted
the wide swab stick to the posterior fornix without touching it.
Table titles: