Vulvodynia (Vulvar Pain)

What is Vulvodynia?

Vulvodynia is a chronic condition that is defined by vulvar pain that lasts for more than three months. It is often described as burning, itching, stinging, or rawness. This pain can make individuals so uncomfortable that they cannot sit for long periods of time or engage in sexual intercourse. This condition can last for months to years.

The main symptoms of vulvodynia affect the genital area, and include:

What Causes Vulvodynia?

There are many suspected causes of vulvodynia, including injury to the nerves in the area, inflammation, hormonal factors, genetic factors, and musculoskeletal problems. Women who are diagnosed with vulvodynia often suffer from other common pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia, painful bladder syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and temporomandibular disorder.

Vulvodynia Treatment Options

Vulvodynia treatment can take time and finding the treatment that is best for an individual patient is a process of trial and error. Treatment options may include:

Medications

Steroids, anticonvulsants, or tricyclic antidepressants can help to reduce chronic pain. Antihistamines may also be helpful for reducing itching.

Biofeedback Therapy

This form of therapy can help to reduce pain by teaching individuals how to relax their pelvic muscles and control how their body responds to symptoms.

Local Anesthetics

Lidocaine ointment can provide temporary symptom relief. Applying lidocaine 30 minutes before sexual intercourse can also help to reduce discomfort.

A Nerve Block

Women who have experienced long-term pain that does not respond well to other treatments may benefit from local nerve block injections.

Pelvic Floor Therapy

Some women with vulvodynia have tension in the muscles of the pelvic floor. Exercises to relax these muscles can help to relieve uncomfortable symptoms.

Surgery

Women who have localized vulvodynia and have not experienced significant relief from other treatments may benefit from vestibulectomy surgery. This procedure removes tissue in the area where the pain is felt.

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