Everything You Should Know About Vulvodynia

Vulvodynia is a condition in which there is pain, burning, and discomfort in the vulva that has no known etiology. This discomfort may or may not be induced by contact and may be felt in a single location or across the vulva. Vulvodynia patients have a normal-looking vulva.

It is a long-term disorder that can last months or years. It can be so unpleasant for some women that sitting for long periods, using tampons, or having intercourse becomes difficult or impossible. In this article, we will tell you everything you should know about vulvodynia.

Causes of vulvodynia

Infections, neurological issues, inflammatory disorders, and tumors like squamous cell carcinoma can all contribute to vulvar pain. Vulvodynia is not caused by a medical problem. The precise reason is unclear. It is not caused by a sexually transmitted or other infection, a skin condition, or cancer, but it might produce pain as well.

The following factors may increase the risk of vulvodynia:

• Irritation or damage to the nerves around the vulva
• The vulvar region has a high density of pain-sensing nerve fibers
• Inflammatory chemicals in abundance in the vulva
• Genetic predisposition
• Weak or unstable pelvic floor muscles
• Unusual or prolonged response to illness, trauma, or another environmental element
• Hormonal changes

Vulvodynia is sometimes mistaken with other vulvovaginal issues, such as vaginismus, or persistent tension or spasm of the vulvar area muscles.

Symptoms of vulvodynia

The most common vulvodynia symptom is pelvic pain and discomfort that can be defined as:

• Burning
• Soreness
• Stinging
• Rawness
• Pain during sex
• Throbbing
• Itching

You could have occasional or ongoing pain. It might happen just when the sensitive area is touched (provoked). The pain may be felt across your vulvar area (generalized), or it may be confined to a specific place, such as the opening of your vagina. Vulvar tissue may seem inflamed or enlarged. However, the vulva may look normal most of the time.

Types of vulvodynia

Vulvodynia is divided into two types. They are categorized according to where the pain occurs.

• Localized vulvodynia: Most of the time, discomfort is concentrated in a single location, such as your vulvar vestibule or clitoris. Localized vulvodynia is also known as vulvar pain syndrome.
• Generalized vulvodynia: The discomfort is not always localized. Instead, you may have discomfort in various areas of your vulva and/or vagina at different times. You may get pain all across your vulva.

Vulvodynia can be both provoked and unprovoked. When you have provoked vulvodynia, you feel pain with touch or exercise. Unprovoked vulvodynia causes pain without the presence of these triggers.

Diagnosis of vulvodynia

Your doctor may use the following tests to determine vulvodynia:

• Ask about your medical, sexual, and surgical history. This allows them to pinpoint exactly where and how much pain (and other symptoms) you're experiencing.
• Perform a pelvic examination. They'll examine your exterior genitals and vagina to see what's causing your issues. They may collect a sample of your vaginal cells to test for infection.
• Perform a cotton swab test. The doctor will use a cotton swab to check for specific locations of pain in your vulvar region during this test.
• Conduct a biopsy. The doctor will remove a tiny amount of tissue from a specific place to better examine it. They will only do this if they discover a sore or something abnormal.

Treatment options for vulvodynia

There are treatment options to ease the symptoms. These may include vulvar skin care recommendations, oral and/or topical medications, physical therapy and biofeedback training, dietary changes, psychotherapy, and, in extremely rare cases, surgery. Acupuncture, massage treatment, and cognitive behavioral therapy are also being studied as additional therapies.

Vulvodynia has no recognized cure. The primary goals of treatment are to control your pain, enhance your quality of life, and keep symptoms from recurring. The chronic nature and intricacy of vulvodynia sometimes require several treatment options. Your doctor will suggest a treatment plan depending on your condition(s), the intensity of pain, and personal preferences.