Why is Vulvodynia Commonly Misdiagnosed?
“Vulvodynia is poorly understood &, as with many pain conditions, can be difficult to diagnose. Vulvodynia is diagnosed when other causes of vulvar pain, such as infections, skin problems or neurologic disorders, are evaluated & ruled out” [1].
Unfortunately, very few General Practitioners (GPs), have received the substantial extensive training that a Vulva Pain Specialist has, so to that end, many lack the necessary expertise & experience to be able to give an accurate diagnosis, & a suitable Personalised Treatment Plan to ameliorate the condition with multiple treatments, some of which are new on the market
A Diagnosis With a Vulva Pain Specialist
Your Pain Doctor will commence by reviewing your medical history. After this, they will ask you pertinent questions, one of which will be about your pain and symptoms. So to that end, check the following list, and write down the answers ready for your online or in-person appointment.
- Onset: when did you pain first start, and was it all of a sudden, or gradual?
- Location: whereabouts can you feel your pain? Is it isolated to a particular region in your vulva?
- Duration/Frequency: how long have you been suffering from pain in your vulvar? When do you experience pain? Is it continual, or does it intermittent?
- Type/Nature: would you describe the pain as stabbing, burning, or aching?
- Severity: how strong has your pain been?
- Sexual Intercourse/the Use of Tampons: Are these events painful? (On a scale of zero to 10, 10 being the worst)
Your Vulva Pain Doctor may then arrange for you to undergo various tests, and an examination. In the case of the latter, they may use a colposcope (a magnifying tool), in order to take an up close look at the skin of your vulvar. And although some patients may have inflammation and redness; in most instances, women with painful vulvodynia, normally exhibit healthy skin.
Taking Action
If you are experiencing vulvar pain, do not ignore it, as your condition could cause degeneration and other medical issues. Make an online or in-person appointment with an experienced Vulva Pain Specialist as soon as possible. – No one should suffer in silence, and fortunately, as we now move into the mid-2020s, there are multiple treatments and therapies to help ameliorate your vulva pain, and get your life, and in some cases, your relationship back on track.
Reference
[1]. Phillips, N. (2022). “Vulvodynia.” Healthy Women.