Are you suffering from persistent pain in your genital area (genital area) for no apparent reason? It may feel like a burning, stinging, or tingling sensation. This pain can make it difficult for you to do your daily activities and can even make you feel depressed. If you feel alone, unable to talk to anyone about it, unable to figure out why it's happening, or unable to figure out what's causing it, this topic we're talking about today will be very important to you.
Simply put, what is Vulvodynia?
Vulvodynia (vul-vo-dee-nia) is chronic pain in the external area of your vagina (what we medically call the `vulva`) that lasts for more than three months without any apparent cause.
Now you might be thinking, "This area is painful because of infections or skin diseases." Yes, that's true. But Vulvodynia is pain that occurs when a specific cause (e.g., a yeast infection or skin disease) cannot be found . This pain can be so severe that you may even get bored with the things you enjoy doing. You may even be unable to think about having sex.
Are there main types of vulvodynia?
Yes, we divide this into two main types depending on where the pain occurs.
1. Localized Vulvodynia: This is when pain is felt in a specific area of the vagina. Most often, this pain is felt in the skin between the inner labia and the vaginal opening (called the `vulvar vestibule`) or in the clitoris.
2. Generalized Vulvodynia (pain spread throughout the area): Here, the pain is not limited to one place. The pain can occur in different parts of the vaginal area, at different times. Sometimes, the pain can be felt throughout the entire vaginal area.
This pain can also be categorized by how it occurs. Some people experience pain when something touches or touches them (e.g., during sex, inserting a tampon). For others, the pain occurs even when they are just sitting and doing nothing.
How does this situation affect a person's life?
Vulvodynia is not just a pain. It's something that can turn a person's entire life upside down. Just think...
- Impact on work: If you work in an office, you may not be able to do your work properly due to the pain that comes with sitting in one place for too long.
- Impact on relationships: Sexual intercourse can be painful or even impossible, which can have a significant impact on your relationship with your husband or partner. This can cause significant psychological stress.
- Sleep disturbance: Pain can keep you from sleeping well at night.
- Impact on clothing choices: Prisoners are unable to wear clothes or jeans. They always have to choose loose-fitting clothes.
Because of all this, research has found that many people with vulvodynia also experience psychological problems such as depression and anxiety .
What are the symptoms of vulvodynia?
The way this pain is experienced is different for each person. The way the pain starts, stops, and worsens can also vary from person to person.
| How and when pain is felt | |
|---|---|
| How can you feel pain? | |
| Like a burn | It's like a burning sensation when you get a little chili powder. |
| It feels like it's being pinched. | It feels like a sharp stab. |
| Like an itch. | A pain that comes with an unbearable itch. |
| It seems like the skin is gone. | The skin feels injured and uncomfortable, as if it has been cut. |
| It feels like it's beating. | A pain that comes in a rhythm like the beating of the heart. |
| What are the possible causes of pain? | |
| |
Why does this happen? What are the causes of vulvodynia?
Unfortunately, researchers have yet to find a definitive cause for this, but there are several factors that they think may contribute to it.
- Inflammation: An inflammatory condition in the body.
- Hormonal factors: Changes in hormones.
- Genetic factors: A predisposition that is inherited.
- Neuropathic problems: There is damage to the nerves in the vaginal area or a malfunction in their function.
- Long-term effects of old infections: A long-term response of the body to previous vaginal infections.
- Weakened pelvic floor muscles: Weakening or frequent spasms of the muscles in the pelvic area.
- Harmful things to the skin: Skin irritation caused by things like harsh soaps and perfumes.
The most important thing is that Vulvodynia is not a sexually transmitted disease (STI). Also, it is not cancer or a sign of cancer. Don't worry about it.
How to recognize this condition?
When you see a doctor, he or she will diagnose you with vulvodynia only after ruling out all other possible causes of your pain. This may involve several tests.
- Medical history: The doctor will ask you about your symptoms (where, how, and how long the pain has been there), your sex life, and any surgeries you've had.
- Physical examination: The doctor will examine your vaginal area and may also use a device called a `speculum` to examine your vagina and cervix.
- Cotton Swab Test: This is a very important test. Here, a small cotton swab is used to gently touch different areas of the vagina and ask where and how you feel the pain. This makes it easier to find the exact location of the pain.
- Testing for infections: A sample of vaginal discharge is taken and tested for things like sexually transmitted infections (STIs), bacterial vaginosis, or yeast infections.
Very rarely, your doctor may recommend a colposcopy or a biopsy, which involves taking a small piece of skin and examining it, to make sure there are no other medical conditions.
What are the treatments for vulvodynia?
Vulvodynia can take some time to treat. It may take some experimentation to find the right treatment or combination of treatments for you. So patience is key.
| Treatment method | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Topical medications | Anesthetics, nerve-calming drugs, or creams containing the hormone estrogen may be given to numb the painful area. |
| Oral medication | Antidepressants and some anticonvulsants can help control pain. |
| Nerve block | An injection into the area of pain to stop pain signals from reaching the brain. |
| Physical therapy | Specific exercises and treatments to reduce tightness in the pelvic floor muscles, strengthen them, and reduce frequent spasms. |
| Surgery (Vestibulectomy) | For those with localized pain that has not responded to other treatments, surgical removal of the painful tissue is recommended. |
| Counseling | Seek counseling, either individually, as a couple, or with a sex therapist, to manage the impact this condition has on your life and relationships. |
Things you can do yourself to manage pain
Taking care of the hygiene of your vaginal area also helps a lot in controlling pain.
Good things to do:
- Take a bath in lukewarm water with Epsom salt or colloidal oatmeal.
- Use an unscented, mild soap (or just water) to wash the vaginal area.
- Use a fragrance-free, mild laundry detergent to wash your underwear.
- Wear underwear made entirely of cotton during the day. Sleep without underwear at night.
- When the pain is severe, apply cold compresses for no more than 15 minutes.
- If you have sex, use a lubricant that is unscented or flavored, and does not have cooling or warming properties.
- If you have to sit for a long time, use a cushion like a "donut" that reduces pressure on the vaginal area.
- Get a good night's sleep (between 7-9 hours) every day.
Things not to do (must definitely avoid):
- Avoid wearing tight clothing such as pants, jeans, and pantyhose.
- Do not use scented toilet paper, tampons, or pads.
- Don't wear wet swimwear or sweaty workout clothes for too long.
- Avoid douching or using things like perfumes and bubble baths inside the vagina.
- Stay away from exercises that put pressure on the vaginal area, such as cycling and horseback riding, for a while.
To find out exactly whether the cause of your pain is Vulvodynia or something else, and to start the right treatment for it, you should definitely see a doctor. Don't suffer alone with this pain. There is treatment for this, and you can get help.
Take-Home Message
- Vulvodynia is chronic pain in the vaginal area that lasts for more than 3 months without any apparent cause.
- This is not your fault. And this is not an infectious disease or cancer.
- This pain can have a big impact on your life and relationships, so don't take it lightly.
- It takes a while to make a diagnosis because the doctor first needs to rule out all other causes.
- There are many treatments available. You just have to be patient to find the right one for you.
- If you have pain like this, don't be ashamed or afraid, see a qualified doctor as soon as possible.
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