In vulvodynia the nerve endings in the skin of the vulva appear to become over-sensitive and send abnormal signals which are felt as a sensation of pain. This may be caused by a variety of contributing factors including:
- Nerve injury or
irritation
- Past vaginal infections
- Hypersensitivity to yeast infections
- Allergies or sensitive skin
- Hormonal changes
- Frequent antibiotic use
- Muscle spasm or weakness in the pelvic floor, which supports the uterus, bladder and bowel
- Past vaginal infections
- Hypersensitivity to yeast infections
- Allergies or sensitive skin
- Hormonal changes
- Frequent antibiotic use
- Muscle spasm or weakness in the pelvic floor, which supports the uterus, bladder and bowel
As vulvodynia is a general term for
chronic pain or discomfort around the opening of the vagina that cannot be
linked to a specific cause, it may have several possible triggers.
Common triggers include:
- Touch, such as
sex or inserting a tampon
- Pressure, such as tight, restrictive clothing or prolonged sitting
- Irritants such as soap, detergents, shower gels and bubble baths
- Stress
- Pressure, such as tight, restrictive clothing or prolonged sitting
- Irritants such as soap, detergents, shower gels and bubble baths
- Stress
Things you can do to help with vulvodynia:
Clothing
It’s important to keep your vaginal area cool and dry. Wear smooth, well fitting underwear made from natural fibres and loose-fitting skirts or trousers so as not to block airflow to your genitals. After exercise remove wet or sweaty clothing as soon as possible.
Hygiene
Use emollients as a substitute for soap, try to avoid scented soaps and lotions. You can also use petroleum jelly before swimming to protect the vulva from chlorine.
Pain management
Painkillers like paracetamol are unlikely to help with the pain, instead try a doughnut-shaped cushion for pain when sitting and apply cool gel packs to your vulva to soothe the pain.
Other lifestyle changes:
It’s important to keep your vaginal area cool and dry. Wear smooth, well fitting underwear made from natural fibres and loose-fitting skirts or trousers so as not to block airflow to your genitals. After exercise remove wet or sweaty clothing as soon as possible.
Use emollients as a substitute for soap, try to avoid scented soaps and lotions. You can also use petroleum jelly before swimming to protect the vulva from chlorine.
Painkillers like paracetamol are unlikely to help with the pain, instead try a doughnut-shaped cushion for pain when sitting and apply cool gel packs to your vulva to soothe the pain.
- Try not to avoid
sex or touching your vulva completely, as this may make your vulva more
sensitive
- Try to reduce stress, as it can increase the pain of vulvodynia
- Try to reduce stress, as it can increase the pain of vulvodynia
- Prescription
medication
- Physiotherapy referral – pelvic floor exercises can help relax the muscles around the vagina
- Therapy and counselling referral - can help you cope with the impact vulvodynia has on your life and can also help women who are affected to restore a physical relationship with their partner
- Rarely surgery to remove part of the vulva
- Physiotherapy referral – pelvic floor exercises can help relax the muscles around the vagina
- Therapy and counselling referral - can help you cope with the impact vulvodynia has on your life and can also help women who are affected to restore a physical relationship with their partner
- Rarely surgery to remove part of the vulva
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