Vulvodynia

Hi, I am sorry for your condition. The most commonly reported symptom is burning, but women’s descriptions of the pain vary. Vulvar pain can have an emotional or psychological aspect, and some women benefit from psychological counselling, sex therapy, or both.

Doctors unfortunately don’t know the cause of most forms of vulvodynia. And there is no evidence that infections, such as sexually transmitted diseases, cause vulvodynia. Researchers are trying to find the causes which may include, nerve injury or irritation, hypersensitivity to yeast infection, muscle spasms, allergies or irritation to chemicals or other substances, hormonal changes, history of sexual abuse, frequent antibiotic use antibiotics are considered as few causes for vulvodynia.

Have you tried any home remedies so far? Home remedies and self-care measures for vulvodynia can bring relief for many women. Some self-care measures like avoiding pools or hot tubs with chlorinated water, using a water-soluble lubricant during sexual intercourse might help. Use mild soaps for bathing and clean the vulva with water only. Do not use vaginal wipes, deodorants, or bubble bath.

Other complementary and alternative treatments, such as yoga and acupuncture may be helpful in managing pain from vulvodynia. A National Institutes of Health (NIH) study showed that most women with vulvodynia feel ''out of control,'' unable to have sexual intercourse, and unable to fully enjoy life. If this is true for you, seek the support you need.

It is important that you are referred to a specialist dermatologist or gynaecologist  in this condition by your GP. There are various things that can help but trying to find the triggers is important. A potent steroid ointment used during bad flare ups for a short time helps some. The Channel 4 programme Embarassing bodies has a useful website. Keeping cool and avoiding irritant soaps and shower gels  may help, try using emulsifying cream to wash with.

try to see a gynae but maybe ask for support in trying 'alternative' methods of healing...you might have lichen sclerosus but a diagnosis is less important than a cure plan along the lines of quitting grains from your diet reducing sugar (grains become sugar in higher proportions than raw sugar), balancing your hormones ....i've got to do this and need to ask for a full panel of thyroid markers T1and T2 reverse and free T3 as well as just T4 which the TSH test measures....but is now out of date and insufficient. good luck pauline. love marey

Hi Pauline,

                Sorry to hear about your condition, deffinately see a gynaechologist

I see there is a fair amount of information on the internet which may help and

I wonder if there is a group or association of women sharing the same problem

that you could join and get support.

                        very best wishes 

not sure if you saw my comments pauline ....what your GP is saying is that he can't help ... so YOU take charge!! You can do it!!

Ask for some tests. How is your thyroid? Ask for T1 T2 T3 and T4 ....don't bother with TSH...but get Free T3 and reverse T3...there is a huge problem of undiagnosed hypothyroidism. epidemic proportions due to skewing of normal ranges by so many sick people being measured who actually are not euthyroid as believed. as a result tsh of 4 is considered normal whereas it should be about 1.5 max!

best wishes and try giving up all grains for one week and see if that doesn't help.

marey x 

Hi Pauline

ii can not stress enough that itis vital that you get referred to a dermatologist or gynaecologist that has a special interest and done research on vulvadynaeia and related conditions, not simply any gynaecologist.  It will take time to manage it and find what works for you. It is likely to take a combination of measures. You will eventually get on better, but for most woman there is no magic cure

Hi Pauline, are you on any contraceptives? I was on the injection for a year and I had symptoms of this, as soon as I came off it it disappeared, so if you are I recommend coming off it and observing to see if it goes away. x

Hi Pauline

I had something similar or parhaps the same, over 25 years ago whice last over 2

years,

My doctor at the time wasnt sure what it was and said possibility from getting

thrush alot that led to cystitis but the antibiotics he gave me only eased the pain

for a few days.

my symptoms were a burning pressure and always feeling like you needed to pass water and that was a totle nightmare , like peeing boiling water and pain in lower

tummy.

Anyway to get to my cure with reading and information I picked up,

make sure no dampness in your bedroom, cut out bread for a while, and most

importantly eat natural yougut every day or a t least 3 times a week and now for

the messy part after you shower no soap below, pat dry between legs with soft

tissue , then put loads of natural yougut up into you, and where a large pad or use a baby nappy instead I found them wider and less leaking then get in to your warm bed, if need to warm the bed instantly use a hairdrier , hold the blankets up so air

can flow and will help you sleep,

if doesn't work first time get antibiotics for cystitis then do above. It worked for me so wish you the same .

cheerio xx