If you’ve not heard of vulvodynia, you’re probably not alone. Vulvodynia is a condition that results in chronic vulvar pain, which also impacts your outer genitals and vaginal surrounding. It also refers to chronic discomfort and pain around the vulva, which doesn’t have an identifiable cause and lasts for at least three months. Other symptoms also include irritation, burning and pelvic pain is associated with vulvodynia. You’ll become uncomfortable sitting for long periods and avoiding sexual intercourse, which lasts for several years.
Sometimes, private gynaecologists prescribe medication and treatment procedures. If you have vulvodynia, you mustn’t let the embarrassment or absence of visible signs keep you from seeking medical help. The doctor would discuss the possible causes and options for painful sex treatment, which is why you must seek medical examination for vulvar pain.
What Are The Causes Of Vulvodynia?
Pelvic pain can be because of several reasons, and the research on the topic remains limited. As vulvodynia doesn’t have genetic or hereditary causes, which is why you cannot pass it down to the next generation. It’s not related to hygiene and hygienic products, or even sexually-transmitted diseases. Possible causes of vulvodynia are hormonal changes, vulvar nerve injuries and irritation, antibiotic usage, vulnerability to infections, allergies and muscle spasms to the pelvic floor muscles.
Apart from the physical challenges because of vulvodynia, it also causes secondary problems such as PTSD, relationship trauma, low quality of life, anxiety, depression and sleep deprivation. Vulvodynia also causes painful sexual intercourse, along with causing spasms in the vaginal muscles – also called vaginismus.
What Are The Symptoms Of Vulvodynia?
If you require painful sex treatment for vulvar discomfort and pain, you could have vulvodynia. Symptoms range from vulvar or vaginal itchiness, vulvar pain, soreness and throbbing, burning sensation and stinging. These symptoms occur at the same time, even when you’re having sexual intercourse or exercising. Though women experience these symptoms sometimes, others face them chronically. Sometimes, the vulva doesn’t have physical symptoms while’s it’s swollen and red in other cases. Whatever might be the cause, you must seek pelvic pain treatment from a Private gynaecologist in London.
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Pain
One of the most common signs of vulvodynia includes vulvar pain, which ranges from dull to sharp pain. The intensity also depends on severe, moderate or mild. It could even be constant or suddenly appear without stimulation. Pain triggers also include internal examination, vaginal penetration during sexual intercourse, internal examinations or even inserting tampons.
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Painful Sexual Intercourse
Itching, burning and irritation caused by vulvodynia also make it difficult for the woman to enjoy sexual intercourse.
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Stinging, Burning And Itching
As mentioned above, burning, stinging, itching are common discomforts with vulvodynia – which could be because of multiple situations.
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Poor Clitoral Simulation
The increase in blood circulation because of clitoral stimulation or orgasm triggers discomfort and pain in the vulvar area.
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Discomfort When Sitting
If you have vulvodynia, you won’t be able to sit for a long time. You might trigger more pain if you use a sanitary napkin or tampon on your periods, or even if you wear tight trousers.
How Is Vulvodynia Diagnosed?
The private gynaecologist asks you about your medical and sexual history, past surgeries and current symptoms. They perform pelvic examinations to evaluate the vulva and vagina, even if you don’t have any visual symptoms. They take a cell sample and blood sample and test it for infections, along with identifying other painful areas, hormonal levels and pelvic floor muscles. They also perform a cotton swab test, where they apply gentle pressure to the vulva to know the cause of pain. Finally, they may take a biopsy test.
How Is Vulvodynia Treated?
When you’re treating vulvodynia, you must know the cause. Common pelvic pain treatment options include therapy (pelvic floor physical therapy, biofeedback therapy and TENS therapy), surgery and medication (topical creams, steroids, nerve blockers and anaesthetics). Though women don’t mention vulvodynia to their doctors out of shame, it’s a common condition that must be treated. They would treat vulvar pain and prevent bacterial or yeast infections, precancers, diabetes, genitourinary syndrome and herpes.
Never use over-the-counter treatments for yeast infections without consulting the doctor, as they would recommend the right treatment to manage the symptoms. If you’re looking for a private gynaecologist in London, please contact us at Well Women Clinic.
