Different Types of Vulvar Pain: How to Identify and Manage Them
Shining a Spotlight on Identifying Vulva Pain
Depending on its root cause, symptoms of vulvar pain can include:
• Irritation
• Stinging
• Itching
• Burning
• Soreness
• Rawness
• Stabbing
• Aching
• Throbbing
• Uncomfortable sexual intercourse [1].
Did You Know?
“Pain can be general, affecting the entire vulva, or localised, affecting only specific areas in the vulva. It can occur in any of the vulva structures & can develop for different reasons” [1]
Vulva pain can be:.
•Continually in the background
•Limited to one section of the vulva (e.g. the vagina opening)
•More widespread (for instance, it can affect the entire genital area and the anus)
•Initiated by touch (e.g. inserting a tampon, or having penetrative sex)
•More painful when sitting down [2].
Getting an Accurate Diagnosis
Identifying the symptoms of vulva pain can be confusing, particularly when many of the symptoms can relate to other issues. So to that end, booking an in-person or online consultation with an experienced Vulva Pain Doctor, is the best course of action for an accurate diagnosis. Moreover, once your diagnosis has been established, your Vulva Pain Consultant will empower you to get back on track with a Holistic Personalised Treatment Plan.
So What Treatments Will Help Me Manage My Vulva Pain?
Depending on the root cause of your vulvar pain, your Vulva Doctor may recommend:
• Pain relief medication to minimise any discomfort
• Specific medication to counteract an infection
• Topical steroids to ameliorate an allergy
• Hormone therapy to control menopause-linked changes
• Physiotherapy and pelvic therapy to address anxiety, long-term pain, and tight muscles
• Topical anaesthetics
• Nerve Blocks
• Botox [1].
So What Are Nerve Blocks?
Nerve blocks are frequently recommended by Vulva Doctors. “They may help if the pain interferes with a person’s daily life, and if other treatments or therapies do not help.
[A Vulva Pain Consultant] will inject numbing medicine into the nerves that supply the external genitals. This blocks pain receptors, and can relieve discomfort in the area” [1].
Did You Know?
“A 2019 study found that injecting Botox effectively treats localised provoked vulvodynia” [1].
Your Vulva Pain Doctor administers this treatment very quickly, & many women have it done on their lunch break, or after work
References
[1]. Galan, N. (2023). “What are the causes and treatments for vulvar pain?” Medical News Today.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320466
[2]. NHS (2022). “Vulvodynia (Vulva Pain).”
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vulvodynia/