Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make an appointment as a new patient?

What conditions do our physicians treat?

Do you give referrals to other vulvar pain specialists?

The Washington, DC office makes appointments for each office (Washington, DC and New York). Call 202-887-0568. If you are a new patient, dial x101. If you have to leave a message, we will do our very best to return it within 2 business days. For faster service, please complete the online inquiry form on the Home page.

We treat any condition that causes vulvar pain, irritation, itching, burning, and pain during intercourse. These conditions include vulvodynia, vulvar vestibulitis, lichen sclerosus, erosive lichen planus, recurrent vaginal infections, DIV, sexual transmitted infections, pelvic floor dysfunction, persistent genital arousal disorder, pudendal neuralgia, and interstitial cystitis. In addition, we also see patients for annual check ups, cervical dysplasia, and a variety of routine gynecologic conditions. Our providers do not offer obstetrical care.

Unfortunately, as we cannot guarantee the care given by any other physician, we cannot give referrals. The Centers for Vulvovaginal Disorders (CVVD) has patients that fly in from all over the world; we like to think they come here because we provide exceptional care! 

​How much time should I allow for my initial appointment?

What should I bring with me to my initial appointment? How important are previous medical records or past tests?

How can I get the most out of my appointment?

For most appointments, you should expect to be with our physicians approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes; however, leave yourself two hours to be in the office. (A new patient well-woman exam, for example, would be less time.)

Our review of your past medical records and/or most recent tests (that relate to your symptoms) can be an essential component to your overall evaluation. These records can be faxed or mailed to our Washington office. Alternatively, you may bring a copy for the physician to your initial appointment. Discuss any questions about which records, etc. when you call to schedule. Radiologic films such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRI are not needed, but a copy of the report may be useful in certain conditions.  Reports from surgeries, biopsies, blood tests, and cultures should be brought with you to your first appointment.

Please, be on time. Make a list of questions for the physician and bring that to the appointment. Fill out the "vulvar pain questionnaire" thoroughly. This will enable your physician to make the most out of their time with you. Provide a list of all medications you have used and a prepare a timeline of their use. Simply writing "I used lots of different creams" does not provide enough information for the evaluating physician.

What will happen at the first visit?

Why can't my labs and blood tests be performed by my primary care physician?

I haven't been to CVVD in 3+ years. Will my appointment cost be different from a regular follow up?

Initially, you will meet your physician and go over the paperwork you have completed. This paperwork addresses your medical history, your symptoms and any related issues for which you need answers. This review will take approximately 25 minutes. You will have time to mention all information you believe to be pertinent. A good medical history cannot be rushed, and we will not do so. Next, you will move to a treatment room. Your physician will perform a very thorough physical exam. To aid in this examination a monitor will be used so that you may view the examination alongside your doctor. We will make a very good effort to limit discomfort associated with this exam- we use pediatric speculums for exam.

Tests that *may* be performed during this exam include vulvoscopy, vulvar biopsy, vaginal cultures for speciation and sensitivity, vulvalgesiometry, and an evaluation of the levator ani muscles and pudendal nerves. Some blood tests may be needed and our medical assistant is an excellent phlebotomist. The exam will take approximately 25. After the physical examination, you will return to the physician's office to go over your diagnosis and options of care. We will strive to provide a very thorough review of the current information that is know about your medical condition. A written plan of care will be provided when you leave. You may be given digital photos taken during the exam to aid in your treatment. You will be given several peer-reviewed medical journal articles about your condition. Again, we know that this discussion cannot be rushed and you will not leave until all of your questions have been answered. You may have someone join you at all parts of your visit, just during the consultations, or not at all. Your comfort and wellness is our primary concern.

*PLEASE NOTE: All follow ups visits at our NY office will be scheduled with Leia Mitchell, PA-C (unless otherwise specified by Dr. Goldstein or Mollie Rieff, DNP).

Our physicians have worked extensively with any outside laboratories we use. The tests they run for our office are often different than what most other physicians look for. Therefore, it is necessary to have your lab work done during your appointment with us.

If it's been a few years since you've been in, our providers may need to spend additional time in consultation with you. They will need to know if your symptoms are the same as they were during your original visit and if you've tried any new treatments since your last appointment. If you haven't been to CVVD in three years or more, you will be scheduled as a new patient. It may take us a few days to order and receive your chart if it has been sent to our storage vendor.

​What is your cancellation policy for new patients?

What is the cancelation policy for follow-up appointments?

How do I get a prescription refill?

If a new patient appointment needs to be rescheduled or cancelled, the patient must notify the Washington, DC office by phone at 202-887-0568, x101, two business days prior to the day of the appointment. A voicemail will suffice. If two business days' notice is not given or the patient does not arrive the day of their appointment, a $250 cancellation fee will be applied to the credit card given to us when scheduling the appointment. CVVD will call to confirm each appointment and will make every attempt to reach the patient. If we are unable to reach a new patient to confirm or we do not receive a call back, we cannot guarantee that the appointment will be held.

Follow up appointments must be cancelled at least one full business day (24 hours) prior to your appointments. If a 24 hour notice is not given or the patient does not arrive the day of their appointment, a $250 cancellation fee will be charged.

We require all current patients* (defined as those patients who have been seen in the last 365 days) to email refill requests to clinical@vulvodynia.com.

For medications, include the name of the drug, strength and dose you are taking, and your pharmacy voice phone number (not fax number).

If you prefer, you may instead contact your pharmacy directly and ask them to send us the request electronically. Medication prescriptions are only refilled in these 2 ways.

For Physical Therapy prescriptions, include the name of the facility and their fax number and we will fax the prescription to them directly.

For mammograms or other procedures, include the name of the procedure and the fax number of the facility or your address if you would prefer that it be mailed to you.

How do I get a copy of my medical records?

What if I have questions for my provider after the visit has ended?

What if I am having an emergency and need to speak with my provider immediately?

Medical records require a signed release form. Please complete the record release form to retrieve a copy of your medical record. The record release is sectioned off for NY and DC providers, please complete the form according to which provider you see.

*** Records inactive for more than 3 years have been destroyed. ***

For answers to medical questions and to request a call-back from your provider, please contact our medical assistant at 202-887-0568 x107. A single, detailed message is all we will need to ensure your concerns are addressed in a timely fashion. Please note that our physicians will not communicate via e-mail or text messages.

Our providers return all messages left by our patients; however, because of the volume of calls and the fact that our providers are in different offices on different days, same day message returns are not always possible.

If you are having a life-threatening emergency, call 911 and go to your closest emergency room. 

If you have an URGENT, non life-threatening medical emergency, please call Dr. Goldstein at 410-279-0209.

Do you accept my insurance?

How much does a new patient appointment cost?

The CVVD does not accept any commercial insurance including Medicaid, Medicare and Tricare.  Payment for services rendered is due at the end of the appointment.  We will provide you with an itemized receipt that you are welcome to file with your insurance company for reimbursement.  It is the patient's responsibility to know the out of network benefits offered by their insurance carrier prior to scheduling an appointment or filing for reimbursement. 

*If Medicare is your primary insurance, please notify the office staff upon check-in.  A waiver will be provided to you explaining that we have opted out of contract with Medicare and can file your claim with your secondary insurance.

*Tricare patients will also be required to notify the front desk of their insurance and sign a waiver.  However, unlike Medicare beneficiaries, Tricare members are eligible for reimbursement by Tricare.  The waiver explains that we do bill above the 115% allowed by Tricare.


Please contact our Practice Director, Hillary, for rates.

HAVE A QUESTION?

Our FAQ page and IG account are a wonderful resource for patients, both new and established! Check them out now!

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment, please note which location you are interested in: NY, DC, or Tampa

***We do our best to return your query as soon as possible, but please be allow up to 48 business hours (excluding weekends AND holidays) for your query or call to be returned.

***It is important to check your spam/junk folders for any replies from our office. Please note, we are unable to accommodate same-day appointments. We do offer limited new patient telemedicine appointments for qualifying international patients.

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