Vulvodynia 101: Why Pain in the Vulva Still Leaves GPs Unsure — And What London Clinics Are Doing – What Makes Vulva Pain So Hard to Pin Down?

Unless you have a consultation with a Vulva Doctor, your chances of having your condition acknowledged, and receiving an accurate diagnosis, can be quite slim. And in some cases, as widely reported, the GP may believe that your pain is “all in your mind.” This unfortunate situation is due to the fact that: vulvodynia is poorly understood, and as with many pain conditions, can be difficult to diagnose. Moreover, vulvodynia is diagnosed when other causes of vulvar pain, such as infections, skin problems, or neurologic disorders, are evaluated & ruled out” [1].

Pinning Down a Vulvodynia Diagnosis

As matters stand, only a tiny percentage of GPs (General Practitioners), have undergone the years of extensive training that a Vulva Pain Doctor has, so to that end, your GP may lack the necessary in-house clinical experience and expertise that is essential for providing patients with:

• An accurate diagnosis using their examination expertise, and the latest cutting-edge technology and tools, and
• An optimal Holistic Personalised Treatment Plan (such as that provided by our Vulva Consultants here at the London Pain Clinic)

So What is a Vulvodynia Holistic Personalised Treatment Plan?

This high level protocol is devised by your Vulva Specialist in order to provide a synergetic treatment delivery system that will provide optimum results, and thus help you get your life back on track as soon as possible. It is likely to include some of the following:

• Conventional treatment
• The latest state-of-the-art therapies (including targeted physiotherapy)
• Science-backed injectables (including Botox; pain blockers which serve to block the pain signals; and trigger point injections which relieve muscle tightness, tension, and pressure generated by each trigger point. The muscle then relaxes, thereby allowing freedom of movement without pain)
• Topical remedies
• Advice on diet and supplements
• Recommendation on physical activity
• Lifestyle guidance

So as soon as you have been given an accurate diagnosis, your Vulva Doctor will prepare your personalised protocol. And as the London Pain Clinic offers both in-person and online consultations, your Pain Doctor is only a phone call away to arrange any necessary follow-up appointments to fit in with your schedule.

Getting the Recognition You Deserve

Our highly experienced Pain Doctors understand the suffering of many vulvodynia patients, a large percentage of whom have been extremely let down by the NHS. But there is light at the end of the tunnel, and our world-class Vulvodynia Doctors are leading the way in London. So much so, that they are consulted by vulvodynia sufferers across the UK and from many parts of Europe. In addition to this, our Vulva Specialists are renowned for being at the forefront of the latest high level peer reviewed research and state-of-the-art innovative treatment options.

The Appalling Truth

Did you know that countless “women suffer with unexplained vulvar pain for months—even years—before a correct diagnosis is made and an appropriate treatment plan is determined. A Harvard study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that 60 percent of women who suffer from the condition consult at least three health care professionals in seeking a diagnosis, and 40 percent of those still remained undiagnosed” [1].

So Who is Affected by Vulvodynia the Most?

As our Vulva Consultants regularly explain, whilst vulvodynia impacts women of all ages,  symptom onset is mainly linked to women aged 18 to 25. Moreover, although at one time, vulvodynia was believed to primarily impact Caucasian women, recent research has indicated that women with African heritage, and Hispanic women, are equally at risk of developing the disorder [1].

Reference

[1]. Healthy Women (2024), “Vulvodynia.”