How to Talk to Your Doctor About Vulvodynia
As Vulva Doctors regularly explain to their patients: “pain occurs in the vulva, and occasionally involves the buttocks or even the inner thighs. It is often felt as a burning, stinging or raw sandpaper-like discomfort. These sensations may fluctuate in intensity and can be constant or intermittent. Symptoms may occur only in a small area or involve the entire vulva. The pain can occur spontaneously or when the vulva is touched [1]”
Getting Over the Barrier of Feeling Embarrassed
“Vulvodynia can lead to painful sexual intercourse, decreased libido, and communication barriers (for example, being embarrassed to talk about it)” [1]
Here at the Vulva Pain Clinic, our Pain doctors and other team members take a very respectful and sensitive view towards our patients. We are all mindful of the sensitive nature of vulvodynia and its associated conditions, and to that end, we want all our patients to be able to feel relaxed when they talk about their symptoms and intimate pain. Furthermore, if new patients would like to see a female Vulva Doctor, then this can be arranged, you only have to ask.
What to Expect During Your Consultation
Whether your consultation is in-person or online, you can be safe in the knowledge that all our Vulva Doctors are highly experienced in this field of pain. After they have reviewed your medical history, they will then ask you a number of pertinent questions. These will include whether you have had any skin infections or conditions in your vagina, and whether having sex is painful. Your Vulva Pain Doctor will then ask you to describe your symptoms in as much detail as you can. To that end, it is a good idea to start recording your symptoms in a diary as soon as possible. This should have a separate page/s for each day, and the page/s should have 24 slots for every hour. The slots should have sufficient space for you to fill in as many details as possible. These details should include:
- The time the pain or irritation etc., that suddenly came on
- Describe the type of pain or irritation etc., in as much details as possible
- Note what you had been doing before, and at this time, (for example, you may have just had sexual intercourse, or inserted a tampon,or put on trousers)
- Note how long this pain or irritation etc., lasted for
- And note anything that you did to make the condition better or a little better, or whether the pain just dissipated naturally
Discussing Any Exam Tests or Scan, With Your Vulva Doctor
“Anxiety and fear are common before and during the pelvic examination. In fact, the pelvic exam is one of the most common anxiety-provoking medical procedures. This exam can provoke negative physical and emotional symptoms such as pain, discomfort, anxiety, fear, embarrassment, and irritability” [2]
Here at the London Pain Clinic, we understand the aforementioned research on some patients’ real fear of having a pelvic examination. Therefore, in many cases, our Pain Specialists are able to conduct other tests and if necessary, a scan, and thereby avoid the need to examine the vulva and pelvic region.
Moreover, your Pain Doctor will discuss your condition with you in simple easy to understand, laymen’s terms. They will also ask you to let them know if you ever have any questions or concerns.
References
[1]. British Association of Dermatologists (2024). “Vulvodynia and Vestibulodynia .”
[2]. O’Laughlin DJ, Strelow B, Fellows N, Kelsey E, Peters S, Stevens J, Tweedy J. Addressing Anxiety and Fear during the Female Pelvic Examination. J Prim Care Community Health. 2021 Jan-Dec;12:2150132721992195