Vulvodynia

Vulvodynia is chronic pain or discomfort around the opening of your vagina (vulva) for which there's no identifiable cause and which lasts at least three months. The pain, burning or irritation associated with vulvodynia can make you so uncomfortable that sitting for long periods or having sex becomes unbearable.

The main vulvodynia symptom is pain in your genital area, which can be characterized as:

• Burning
• Soreness
• Stinging
• Rawness
• Painful intercourse
• Throbbing
• Itching

Vulvodynia is never associated with dangerous illness. Vulvodynia is not caused by sexually transmitted diseases, cancer, diabetes, or other medical conditions. Vulvodynia is not associated with infertility. However, the effects of the pain of vulvodynia seriously interfere with normal activities of daily life, and disrupt enjoyment of life and relationships. In addition, most women with vulvodynia also have other annoying issues, such as headaches, joint or muscle pain as in fibromyalgia, sleep problems, irritable bowel syndrome, temporomandibular joint disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, or interstitial cystitis.

Treatments for Vulvodynia

Medications

Topical agents can be used as well as oral agents that have association with assisting with nerve pain.

Topical Medications

• Topical Hormonal Creams (estrogen, testosterone)
• Topical Anesthetics (lidocaine)
• Topical Compounded Formulations (anticonvulsant, antidepressant)

Oral “Pain-Blocking” Medications

• Tricyclic Antidepressants
• Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors
• Anticonvulsants
• Opioids