Each year, thousands of American women seek out the medical attention and advice of a gynecologist for pain associated with the vulva. With complications ranging from mild irritation to significant pain, especially with intercourse, women experiencing vulvar pain should understand the condition is not unusual. Understanding the cause, origin, symptoms and various treatment options, will work to ensure a more speedy recovery and a return to normal daily living activities and normal, healthy sexual activity.
Medically termed vulvodynia, the cause and origin of vulvar pain encompasses a full spectrum. From vaginal nerve pain to bacterial infections, vulvar pain can render a woman sexually inactive and even unable to perform activities of daily living, depending on the frequency and intensity of vulvar pain as indicated.
Chronic and unrelenting vulvar pain is commonly referred to as dyesthetic vulvodynia, or essential vulvodynia. While sexual activity can, at times, be tolerated, dyesthetic vulvodynia lends its roots to a disorder involving a neurological complication. Within the vulva lies a plethora of nerve endings which, for the most part, act as a pleasure mechanism for sexual activity. When damaged, or when irregular neurological activity or cardiovascular activity occurs, the vulva may become enlarged and sensitive, leading to the pain associated with dyesthetic vulvodynia.
As a condition which generally occurs during menopause, dyesthetic vulvodynia is usually misdiagnosed as an estrogen deficient complication in women with pain attributed to vaginal dryness. Unfortunately, this may not be the case in many women. Instead, the vulvar pain may be attributed to actual nerve damage within the vulva region or, possibly, attributed to diet. In fact, some medical research has shown that women experiencing sex complications, associated with vulvar pain, may be at risk due to the development of oxalate crystals, a by-product of food or drinks containing alcohol, chocolate and citrus juices.
Symptoms of dyesthetic vulvodynia are commonly described as burning, stinging, irritation, a sense of rawness in the vaginal area, painful urination and bowel movements. When untreated, and the result of an infection, the vulvar complication may lead to urinary tract infections in women.
When suffering from vulvar pain, it is important to consult a healthcare professional early, in most cases, a gynecologist. With examination, the gynecologist should conduct a series of lab tests including tests to rule out bacterial infections, sexually transmitted disease, urinary tract infections and even blood work to address the possibility of an autoimmune disease, fibromyalgia. Once properly diagnosed as to cause and origin, prescription medications to treat the root cause and origin of the dyesthetic vulvodynia are required. When faced with complications associated with neurological disorders, further examination by a neurologist, and even urologist, may be necessary. In addition to medications, the healthcare professional may recommend a restrictive diet, limiting the chocolate and alcohol intake.
As with any gynecological complaint, especially those which lead to impaired daily living activities and limited sexual pleasure, it is imperative to seek early diagnosis, intervention and treatment so as to ensure the cause and origin of the pain is treated appropriately. With vulvar pain, it is highly recommended that you discuss a plethora of tests to be performed and do not simply allow the gynecologist to suggest the dyesthetic vulvodynia is attributed to lack of estrogen and vaginal dryness. In doing so, both you and your gynecologist may be seriously misdiagnosing a complicating health condition.
