Vulvodynia (vulval pain)
Overview
Vulvodynia is pain in the vulva (area around the outside of the vagina) that lasts at least 3 months and does not have a specific cause. It can have a big effect on your life, but there are treatments that can help.
Symptoms
Vulvodynia can affect women of all ages. Anyone with a vulva can have vulval pain. There's usually no change to the way your vulva looks, but it may feel uncomfortable or painful. The pain may feel like: burningthrobbingstabbingsoreness The pain can also: affect all or part of your vulvabe constant or come and gostart on its own or when your vulva is touched – for example, when inserting a tampon or having sexaffect other areas, such as the inside of your thighs, around your bottom (anus), or the area where pee leaves your body (urethra)sometimes start when you have a poo Vulvodynia can have a big impact on your life, affecting things like your sleep, concentration and sexual relationships. Other conditions that can cause genital pain includevaginitis,vaginismusand somesexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Causes
Other conditions that can cause genital pain includevaginitis,vaginismusand somesexually transmitted infections (STIs). The exact cause of vulvodynia is not known. It may be related to a number of things including: damage, irritation or over-sensitivity of the nerves in the vulvaprevious vaginal infectionschanges in levels of hormones, such as oestrogenweak pelvic floor muscles
Treatment
The main aim of treatment for vulvodynia is to help manage the pain. Vulvodynia is often treated by more than one specialist, including: a gynaecologista physiotherapista psychologista pain specialist A number of different treatments may be recommended under the guidance of these specialists. Treatments for vulvodynia can include: medicines – this may be a cream you rub on your vulva to numb the pain or tablets to treat nerve painpelvic floor exercisesto help you control your vaginal musclesgently widening your vagina using tampon-shaped objects (vaginal trainers)psychological therapies, such ascognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)or psychosexual therapy (therapy to help with sexual problems)surgery to remove the painful part of your vulva – this may occasionally be offered if other treatments have not worked No single treatment works for everyone, and you may need to try several treatments to find out what works best for you.