Is Your Vulva Pain Usually Triggered by a Specific Event?
“Vulva pain might be constant or occasional. It might occur only when the sensitive area is touched (provoked). You might feel the pain in your entire vulvar area (generalised), or the pain might be localized to a certain area, such as the opening of your vagina (vestibule).
Vulvar tissue might look slightly inflamed or swollen. More often, your vulva appears normal.
A similar condition, vestibulodynia, causes pain only when pressure is applied to the area surrounding the entrance to your vagina” [1]
Visiting an Experienced Vulvodynia Pain Specialist at a Vulvodynia Clinic is essential
So What Symptoms Should I look Out For?
The prime symptom is pain in the genital region. – This can be defined as:
•Soreness
•Stinging
•Rawness
•Burning
•Dyspareunia (pain during intercourse)
•Itching
•Throbbing [1].
What Specific Events Act as a Trigger to Vulva Pain?
“Sitting for too long (especially in damp gym clothing or swimwear); using perfumed soaps, shampoos, douches & scented/coloured toilet paper, should all be avoided. As should wearing non-breathable synthetic underwear like nylon, & wearing tight-fitting trousers” [2].
While the root cause of vulvodynia is not fully understood, potential contributing factors incorporate:
•Irritation or injury to the nerves surrounding the vulvar area
•Previous vaginal infections
•Sensitive skin or allergies or sensitive
•Hormonal fluctuation
•Muscle weakness or spasm within the pelvic floor; the latter of which supports the bowel, bladder and uterus [1].
So What’s Making My Vulvodynia Flare Up?
Substantial anecdotal reports have associated flare ups to the following situations and activities:
•Using tampons
•Having penetrative sex
•Pressure on the bladder or bowel
•Cycling
•Walking and other light exercise
•Using irritating spermicides and contraceptive creams
•Sitting for long periods of time
•Applying astringent
•Using perfumed toilet paper, douches, shampoo and soap
•Wearing synthetically-made non-breathable underwear such as polyester or nylon
•Wearing tight-fitting trousers
•Coming into contact with chlorine or other chemicals
•The presence residue urine
•The presence of bacteria [1].
Making an Appointment With a Vulvodynia Consultant
Unlike a general practitioner (GP), Vulvodynia Specialists have undergone extensive training and experience in this condition. When you have your consultation, they will review your medical history, and ask you various question pertaining to your vulva pain. To that end, keeping a ‘Pain Diary,’ which has a record of when you feel the pain, and anything different that you are doing (e.g. going to the gym, or using a new shower gel), which may have brought it on, would be very beneficial to show at your online or in-person appointment.
References
[1]. Mayo Clinic (2020). “Vuvodynia.”
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vulvodynia/symptoms-causes/syc-20353423
[2].