- Abnormal Smear
- Abnormalities of the Uterus
- Abnormalities of the Vagina
- Adenomyosis
- Amenorrhea
- Atrophic Vaginitis
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Barrier Contraception
- Bartholins Cysts
- Caesarean Section
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Screening
- Childbirth
- Chlamydia
- Clitoral Hoodectomy
- Colposcopy
- Colposcopy
- Contraceptive Pill
- Dysmenorrhoea
- Dyspareunia
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Endometrial Hyperplasia
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Gonorrhoea
- Heavy Periods
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Hymenoplasty
- Hysterectomy
- Incontinence
- Incontinence
- Infertility
- Intrauterine Devices
- Labial Reduction
- Loss Of Libido
- Menorrhagia
- Menstrual Disorders
- Miscarriage
- Natural Family Planning
- Oligomenorrhoea
- Ovarian Cancer
- Ovarian Cysts
- Pelvic Floor Exercises
- Pelvic Floor Restoration
- Perineoplasty
- Polycystic Ovaries
- Polymenorrhoea
- Post-Coital Bleeding
- Pregnancy Scanning
- Premature Menopause
- Progesterone Contraceptive Pill
- Pruritus Vulva
- Sterilisation
- Syphilis
- The Wart Virus
- Thrush
- Treatment for CIN
- Uterine Cancer
- Uterine Prolapse
- Vaginal Cancer
- Vaginal Cysts
- Vaginal Discharge
- Vaginal Infections
- Vaginal Prolapse
- Vaginal Tightening
- Vulva Cancer
- Vulval Anatomy
- Vulval Dystrophy
- Vulvodynia
- Well Women Checks
Vulvodynia
Vulvodynia refers to the pain women may experience from time to time in their vulvas. There are many conditions that can cause this pain, and each can be treated individually if properly diagnosed by a GP or gynaecologist.
It is important for any woman experiencing any abnormal uncomfortable sensations in her genitals to visit her local GP or gynaecologist to have the problem checked out. Pain or discomfort could be happening for any number of reasons. Vulvodynia can significantly decrease the quality of a woman’s life if it is not diagnosed and treated quickly and properly. The condition may cause constant pain or discomfort, or it may only be triggered when something touches the area involved.
This can mean that women cannot continue with many everyday activities such as certain types of exercise and sexual intercourse for example. This can have a hugely detrimental effect on a woman’s life, and it is therefore important to find the cause of the problem and treat it as soon as possible.
There are many conditions that can cause this problem, though most are relatively harmless and can be treated easily. It may be that the woman experienced an injury or abrasion in that region, which is causing her pain. There is always the possibility that the problem is more severe than that, such as cystitis or sexually transmitted infections, but the majority of cases of vulvodynia will be a result of simple abrasions or allergic reactions to certain chemicals for example.
If the cause of vulvodynia is found to be the result of an abrasion or allergy, the patient can be treated accordingly. An antidepressant called amitriptyline can be taken to relieve the pain while the body deals with the problem, and patients suffering from allergies can often take anti-histamines to deal with their problem. If it is found that the problem is merely a symptom of a more severe condition, these conditions will be treated accordingly. Sexually transmitted infections can be treated and this will in turn deal with the vulvodynia.
Patients can also alter their lifestyles to cope with the pain associated with vulvodynia. They can attempt to avoid activities that might aggravate the condition, they can wear clothing that will not put pressure on the area that is involved, and if the patient is experiencing an allergic reaction to certain substances, they can avoid using products that contain these substances.