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Your health vulvodynia

 
 

Living with vulvodynia

Vulvodynia

To diagnose vulvodynia, your doctor will do a physical exam of your genital area.

Some women have constant, severe pain "down below," known as vulvodynia. Here, we discuss the symptoms, and off er advice on how it can be diagnosed and treated.

Vulvodynia is one of the many "women's problems " you may have heard of but are not sure what it is. In the U.S., 200,000 women have some sort of vulvodynia but many more cases are thought to go unreported. Living with vulvodynia is painful and frustrating. However, once diagnosed and treated, you can forget about vulvodynia, and get on with life, love and anything else!

What is vulvodynia?

Vulvodynia is defined as a constant, severe pain in the vulva (the outside of your vagina and genital area). The pain is often described as a burning, stinging or itching. Vulvodynia can last months, or even years, if it's not treated. Although not life-threatening, the pain can prevent you from doing normal activities, such as having sex (the pain might lead to "vaginismus," a spasm of muscles around the vagina that make it hard for your partner to enter you). Symptoms can become worse when you exercise, urinate, or even sit down so it's not surprising that it makes sufferers feel upset and depressed!

Simple solutions to vulvodynia

  • Avoid using soap, shower gel or feminine deodorant sprays in the genital area
  • Wash the genital area with plain, clear water, at least once a day
  • Wear cotton underwear and avoid tight jeans, pants or leggings. Also, avoid wearing pantyhose
  • Use only white, unbleached toilet tissue and sanitary products (tampons and pads)
  • Avoid sitting around in a wet swimsuit for a long time
 

How do you get vulvodynia?

Unfortunately, it's not known what causes vulvodynia. However, it could be one or more of the following:

  • Frequent yeast infections
  • Frequent use of antibiotic medicines
  • An allergic reaction to soaps, shower gel, or washing detergents
  • Genital warts
  • Hormonal changes
  • Sexual contact, or a history of sexual abuse

How is vulvodynia diagnosed and treated?

To diagnose vulvodynia, your doctor will do a physical exam of your genital area and take a sample of discharge from your vagina to test for bacteria and yeast infections. He or she may ask about:

  • Your symptoms–what do they feel like, how long do they last, what makes them feel better, what makes them feel worse
  • Your sexual practices
  • Your lifestyle–diet, exercise, clothing, products used on the genital area
  • Your medical history
  • What medications you take, or have taken (including over-the-counter)

Your doctor may also recommend other tests, including a colposcopy and biopsy.

Did you know?

In the United States, 200,000 women have some form of vulvodynia.

 

The treatment depends on the type of vulvodynia. Some types get better with the use of medication, including antibiotics, anti-infl ammatories and steroids. In serious cases of vulvodynia, your doctor may recommend laser treatment, or surgery.

If you have vulvodynia, it's a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor. Although there's no cure, you will be able to relieve the symptoms of pain, and get on with your everyday life.

 

Helpful Links

National Vulvodynia Association – www.nva.org
 
 

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