Pain, Irritation & Swelling in Your Vulvar Region? It Could be Vulvodynia!

“Vulvodynia is chronic pain or discomfort around the opening of your vagina (vulva), for which there’s no identifiable cause, & which lasts at least 3 months. The pain, burning or irritation associated with vulvodynia can make you so uncomfortable that sitting for long periods or having sex becomes unthinkable” [1]

This intolerable condition can last for months to years, so the best course of action is to see a Vulva Pain Specialist, who will put you on a Holistic Personalised Treatment Plan which incorporates both conventional & cutting-edge treatment

What Symptoms Are Indicative of Vulvodynia?

The prime symptom is pain in the genital region. – This can be can be characterized as:
•Raw
•Stinging
•Sore
•Throbbing
•Burning
•Itching
•Dyspareunia (painful intercourse) [1].

Is Vulvodynia Pain Constant?

All women have different issues. With some, the pain may be constant, yet with others, the pain may just be occasional. You might only feel pain when the sensitive region is provoked. Conversely,
you may experience the pain in your entire vulvar region, or the pain may be localised to a specific region, such as your vestibule (the opening of your vagina). Further, the tissue of the vulva
may look slightly swollen or inflamed. Although, more often than not, it appears completely normal. Of note, there is a similar condition to vulvodynia, known as vestibulodynia. However, this condition only causes pain when pressure is applied to the region surrounding the vagina entrance [1].

So What Exactly Causes Vulvodynia?

At the present time, even though substantial research has been carried out as to the cause/s of vulvodynia; to date, nothing is conclusive. That said, there are nonetheless, potential contributing factors. These comprise:
•Irritation or injury to the nerves surrounding the vulvar area
•Hormonal fluctuation
•Sensitive skin
•Allergies
•Previous vaginal infections
•Muscle weakness or spasm in the pelvic floor (which supports the bowel, bladder and uterus) [1].

Emotional Issues

“Because it can be painful & frustrating & can keep you from wanting sex, vulvodynia can cause emotional problems. For example, fear of having sex can cause spasms in the muscles around your vagina” [1]

There are also other complications. These include:
•Reduced quality of life
•Relationship issues
•Altered body image
•Sexual dysfunction
•Insomnia
•Depression
•Anxiety [1].

Reference

[1]. Mayo Clinic (2020). “Vulvodynia.”
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vulvodynia/symptoms-causes/syc-