Types of Treatment For Vulvodynia

Putting an End to the Misery & Suffering

For far too long, women whose lives are seriously impacted by vulvodynia, have been ignored. – This is of no fault of their own. – In many cases, they have gone to their GP to ask for help, but because general practitioners have not had specialised training in this complex condition, the patients have not been diagnosed correctly, or given the help that they so desperately need. Vulvodynia is a sensitive subject, and no one wants to discuss it with someone who only know the fundamentals of the condition. To that end, it is crucial to see an experienced Pain Specialist who has a long track record, and who is an expert in the field.

What Type of Treatments Could the Pain Specialist Recommend?

There are a number of treatment options depending on your own personal circumstances. These include, but are not limited to:

•Medications such as: “steroids, tricyclic antidepressants or anticonvulsants that can help lessen chronic pain. Antihistamines might reduce itching” [1].
•Local Anaesthetics: “medications, such as lidocaine ointment, can provide temporary symptom relief. Your doctor might recommend applying lidocaine 30 minutes before sexual intercourse to reduce your discomfort” [1].
•Nerve blocks. “women who have long-standing pain that doesn’t respond to other treatments might benefit from local nerve block injections” [1].
•Pelvic Floor Therapy: as countless sufferers experience tension in their pelvic floor muscles (these support the bowel, bladder and uterus), exercises to relax these muscles can ameliorate pain caused by vulvodynia.
•Biofeedback Therapy: this modality is designed to help lessen vulvodynia pain by teaching the participant how to control the way their body responds to the symptoms, and how to naturally relax their pelvic muscles.
•Surgery (vestibulectomy): this is an option that is only used in certain cases of vestibulodynia or localized vulvodynia. In this instance, the surgeon excises the affected tissue and skin to relieve the pain [1].

Muscle Spasms

Women who suffer these spasms in their pelvic region, can often find that it makes their vulvar pain even worse. To that end, biofeedback treatments (treatments that help you strengthen and relax your pelvic muscles), or physical therapy, could well ameliorate the spasms. These modalities will be discussed in detail which you arrange your first in-person or online appointment with a Pain Specialist.

Reference

[1]. Mayo Clinic (2020). “Vulvodynia.”
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vulvodynia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353427″https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vulvodynia/diagnosis-