Early Warning Signs of Vulvodynia

“No woman wants to feel like they have a red hot poker up their most intimate region”

But “some women have pain in a specific area of the vulva, such as the clitoris or the vaginal opening. Others experience pain all over the vulva. Symptoms may be constant, or they may come & go, such as when the area is touched; during exercise, or after urinating [1]

Just as with all painful conditions and diseases – the quicker you visit an experienced Vulvodynia Pain Specialist who can establish the root cause, or possible root cause, the better. – If the situation is left untreated, then it can become worse, and in some cases, cause more severe problems.

“By definition, Vulvodynia is chronic pain of the vulva that lasts for three months or longer. The pain may be constant for some women. For others, it may come & go [1]

So What Are the Early Warning Signs?

These include, but are not limited to:

•A stinging or burning pain
•A feeling of throbbing or stabbing
•Vaginal or vulva itching
•Rawness or soreness (as though something rough is rubbing your intimate region)
•Experiencing pain during intercourse
•Tenderness when you insert a tampon [1]

All the above are extremely unwelcome, and so getting on the right track by seeking help from an experienced Vulvodynia Pain Specialist, is the best way forward. So let’s take a look at the treatment options.

Getting Treatment For Your Vulvodynia Pain

When you have your first consultation with a Vulvodynia Pain Specialist, be it online or in person, you will see that he/she very sympathetic to your situation, and understands that it may be difficult to talk about. In the first instance, they will review your medical history, ask you a number of questions about your pain, and if necessary, arrange for you to attend an in-person appointment so that they can conduct an examination, and run any relevant tests.

After these important steps are completed, the Vulvodynia Pain Specialist will explain to you about your condition, the possible root cause, and what can be done to help you. At the present time, there is a broad range of treatment options. These comprise: pelvic floor therapy or physical therapy, which is designed to ameliorate pelvic floor dysfunction; biofeedback (a technique which uses electrical stimulation to relieve pain); injectable nerve blocks involving the use of anaesthetics or steroids; hormonal cream; topical numbing ointment; and oral medication such as specific pharmaceuticals which are designed to stop the pain signals travelling to the brain [1].

Reference

[1]. Konkel , L. (2020). “What Is Vulvodynia? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention.” Everyday Health.
https://www.everydayhealth.com/vulvodynia/guide/