From Vault to Museum: How London’s Vagina Museum Is Sparking Vulva Pain Awareness
As our Pain Doctors regularly explain: “vulvar pain is not an uncommon condition, yet many women (& health professionals) don’t feel comfortable openly discussing pain in this area. As a result, the condition often goes untreated, & women suffer in silence. The impact of this is significant Women may find it difficult to perform normal day-to-day activities or may find it hard to experience enjoyment & pleasure in their lives due to their chronic pain. Anxiety can arise from concern about an underlying serious health problem, & understandably, vulvar pain can lead to problems with intimacy & may result in problems within relationships “[1]
But things are starting to change, and since the release of the must-have book, Viva la Vulva, written by the London Vulva Pain Clinic’s renowned Pain Doctor, Christopher Jenner MB BS, FRCA FFPMRCA, this frequently hidden condition is being brought further out into the open, thanks to London’s Vagina Museum. Indeed, London‘s Vagina Museum has collaborated with high profile grocers, De Nadas Empanadas to bring about the first ever “Vulvanada” (a vagina-shaped turnover pastry filled with spiced peaches). Set up just prior to International Women’s Day (7 March), the Vulvanada was established to: banish the stigma of vulva pain, raise awareness, educate the general public about vulva and vaginal health, project awareness of endometriosis, and support the museum [2, 3].
The Low-Down on Long-Term Vulva Pain
If you have been experiencing vulvar pain for more than 3 months, then this is described as chronic. Moreover, this condition is far more common than most people would think. Indeed,
it is believed to impact “4-8% of women at any one time, and 10–20% in their lifetime” [4]. However, as our team of world-class Pain Specialists here at the London Vulva Pain Clinic, are all too aware: “little attention has been paid to the teaching of this condition so medical practitioners may not recognise the symptoms, and diagnosis is often delayed. Community awareness is low, but increasing with media attention. Women can be confused by the symptoms and not know how to discuss vulvar pain” [4]. So to that end, if you are experiencing any form of vulva pain, the smart move is to book an online or in-person appointment with one of our Vulva Pain Doctor as soon as possible. Unlike the majority of GPs, Pain Specialists have undergone years of additional training and in-house clinical expertise over and above that of general practitioners. Moreover, due to the extremely limited financial resources of the NHS, vulvodynia and vulva pain patients cannot be given many of the latest cutting-edge treatments, injectables and therapies, that a private clinic can provide.
Getting Things Sorted
When you have your first in-person or online consultation with one of our Vulva Pain Doctors, once the latter has reviewed your medical history and asked you various pertinent questions (including details about your symptoms), they will then arrange for any necessary tests and scans (our clinic is well known for its advanced diagnostic tools). Then, as soon as you have been given an accurate diagnosis (something which a vast number of women have not received from their GP), you can then get started on your treatment protocol. – This is a Holistic Personalised Treatment Plan which is often multifaceted in that it can incorporate standard treatment along with the latest state-of-the art therapies and injectables (including pain blockers).
References
[1]. Whria (2025). “Pelvic Pain.”
[2]. Mitchell, B. (2025). “Vagina Museum creates vagina-shaped empanada to raise funds, awareness.” Blooloop .
[3]. BBC (2019). “Vagina museum in London aims to ‘banish shame’.”
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-49753320
[4]. APF (2015). “Localised provoked vestibulodynia (vulvodynia): assessment and management.” Volume 44, Issue 7, July 2025.