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.
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