{"id":1467,"date":"2022-09-26T12:14:26","date_gmt":"2022-09-26T12:14:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/?p=1467"},"modified":"2022-09-26T12:14:26","modified_gmt":"2022-09-26T12:14:26","slug":"vulvar-pain-vulvodynia-symptoms-causes-and-remedies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/vulvar-pain-vulvodynia-symptoms-causes-and-remedies\/","title":{"rendered":"Vulvar Pain (Vulvodynia): Symptoms, Causes and Remedies"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the United States, approximately 16 percent of women deal with vulvar pain at some point in life. When this uncomfortable sensation is persistent for three or more months and has no underlying cause, it is referred to as vulvodynia. If you or a loved one are experiencing pain or discomfort in this genital area, you are likely feeling confused and, often, terrified. That&#8217;s why it is essential to inform yourself about vulvar pain, what the symptoms are, its most common causes, and the remedies available. Learn how to deal with pain in the vaginal area and where to receive help. That said, if you are looking for the best medical professionals in the area, we recommend consulting with <\/span><a href=\"\/carreras-medical-center\/womens-health\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Women&#8217;s Health in Hialeah, FL<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Always choose reputable professionals with years of experience in the field and positive results.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">So, what is vulvodynia, and what can you do about it? Keep reading to find out.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What is the Vulva?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The tissue around the vagina&#8217;s opening is referred to as &#8220;the vulva.&#8221; This area includes the labia major (the outer folds of skin) and the labia minora (the inner folds of skin). Other parts of the vulva include the clitoris and the vestibule. The clitoris is an extremely sensitive organ located at the top of the vulva, while the vestibule leads to the opening of the vagina. We recommend visiting your OB-GYN at least once or twice per year. In some cases, you may require more frequent appointments. If you have any questions or concerns related to your health, don&#8217;t hesitate and reach out to medical professionals such as <\/span><a href=\"\/carreras-medical-center\/ivan-carreras\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dr. Ivan Carreras, MD<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Four Types of Vulvar Pain<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1469 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/09\/The-Four-Types-of-Vulvar-Pain.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration Concept of Pain Symptom or Syndrome in Pathologies and Diseases of Female Genitals as Pms, Endometriosis.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/09\/The-Four-Types-of-Vulvar-Pain-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/09\/The-Four-Types-of-Vulvar-Pain-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/09\/The-Four-Types-of-Vulvar-Pain-400x266.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/09\/The-Four-Types-of-Vulvar-Pain-600x399.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/09\/The-Four-Types-of-Vulvar-Pain-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/09\/The-Four-Types-of-Vulvar-Pain-800x532.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/09\/The-Four-Types-of-Vulvar-Pain.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vulvodynia refers to chronic pain in the outside of a female&#8217;s genitals, the vulva. According to patients, this condition is described as a sensation of stinging, rawness, burning, and itching. Vulvodynia can last more than three months and does not have a distinct, identifiable cause like a skin disorder or an infection. Females with vulvodynia can experience sexual dysfunction, and the pain or discomfort may have a negative impact on life quality.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Overall, there are four different vulvar pain types. These include the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Generalized vulvodynia: This type of vulvodynia begins spontaneously without any apparent signs. Women with this type experience general pain that can last for many months or even years.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cyclic vulvitis: This type involves pain and discomfort that comes and goes with the patient&#8217;s menstrual cycle. Usually, the pain is worse before the woman&#8217;s monthly period begins.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Localized vulvodynia: Localized vulvodynia refers to pain centered around a specific area in the patient&#8217;s vulva. For instance, patients may experience intense pain in the &#8220;lips&#8221; or the folds of the vagina. Localized vulvodynia often disappears and occurs again.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vestibulodynia: This type refers to vulvar pain at the vestibule or the opening of the patient&#8217;s vagina.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Do not disregard the symptoms if you notice any pain in the vaginal area. Always check in with your healthcare professional for expert guidance and the steps to take for pain relief. Depending on your symptoms and the condition type, you may require a different vulvodynia treatment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Most Common Symptoms of Vulvar Pain<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In most cases, patients with this condition report intense throbbing, stinging, burning, and itchiness in the vaginal area. Some patients experience constant pain, while others claim that the pain comes and goes. Additionally, patients can feel pain when there is pressure on the vaginal area. For instance, the pressure could be caused by the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sitting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Inserting a tampon<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sexual intercourse<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Wearing form-fitting and tight clothes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Often, the vulvar tissue will appear normal and healthy in individuals with vulvar pain.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Causes Pain in the Vaginal Area?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Although there is no apparent reason for pain in the vaginal area, experts assume that this condition can be caused by various factors. Here are some of the most common factors associated with vulvar pain:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Genetic disorders: Some patients are born with specific genetic diseases that may cause the cells to overreact to hormones and inflammation in the body. As a result, these women can experience pain in the vaginal area. The inflammation may also lead to the swelling of the tissue and a sensation of soreness.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Recurrent yeast infections: Based on study findings, having more than one yeast infection can boost nerve fiber production in subjects. The nerve fiber increase can result in more pain in the vaginal area. Since this study was not conducted on human subjects, more research is needed to determine the connection between vulvar pain in females and yeast infection.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chronic pain conditions: Females experiencing pain in the vaginal area could be two to three times more likely to have conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome or fibromyalgia. Both are inflammatory diseases, so vulvodynia could be linked to inflammation too.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hormone therapy: Based on a study, females who have used hormone therapy are more likely to have chronic vulvar pain than those who have not. Another study reports that there is no connection between the use of birth control and vulvar pain.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Allergies: Some females can experience inflammation, pain, and irritation in the vulvar region due to harsh feminine deodorants, gels, and soaps. These products may lead to an allergic reaction.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sexual or physical trauma: Pain in the vaginal area could also be caused by sexual abuse, childbirth, or sexual intercourse without adequate vaginal lubrication. Other activities that can put excessive pressure on the vaginal area, such as horseback riding, can also cause harm to this region. If your vagina is throbbing during these activities, stop immediately and get help.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>How is Vulvodynia Diagnosed?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If your vagina is throbbing and you experience discomfort, itchiness, pain, or other symptoms, you should consult with a healthcare professional for diagnosis. Your doctor will ask you a few questions and take your sexual and medical history. You may be asked whether:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You are experiencing vaginal dryness.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The pain is worse with sexual intercourse.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You have been treated for vaginal infections.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Next, the physician will perform a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/diseases\/17878-vulvodynia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">pelvic exam to check for infection or inflammation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> signs. In many cases, the expert will take a tissue sample for further testing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What is the Best Vulvodynia Treatment?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once diagnosed, your doctor will give you advice and the best possible treatment options for you. Remember, the treatment will take time, and patience is critical. Here are some of the vulvodynia treatment options available:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Oral medication: You may need to take anticonvulsants and antidepressants to treat nerve pain.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Topical medicines: You may have to use ointments and creams containing nerve-stabilizing medications or anesthetics. These topical medications are applied straight to the vulvar region. Often, this vulvodynia treatment is used before having sex.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vestibulectomy: Some patients may require a surgical procedure to remove tissue in the vaginal area where the woman experiences pain. Women with the localized type of condition may find this vulvodynia treatment helpful.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Physical therapy: This is a beneficial treatment for myofascial release.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Counseling: You may also want to opt for counseling, as the condition can affect self-esteem, life quality, and your sexual relationships.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Best Tips for Prevention<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1470 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/09\/Best-Tips-for-Prevention.jpg\" alt=\"Men Health Problems and Disorders.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"726\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/09\/Best-Tips-for-Prevention-200x145.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/09\/Best-Tips-for-Prevention-300x218.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/09\/Best-Tips-for-Prevention-400x290.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/09\/Best-Tips-for-Prevention-600x436.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/09\/Best-Tips-for-Prevention-768x558.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/09\/Best-Tips-for-Prevention-800x581.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/09\/Best-Tips-for-Prevention.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you experience painful vagina throbbing, you can also try implementing the following lifestyle changes:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Always wear breathable cotton underwear.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Refrain from using tight pantyhose and lingerie.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Use gel packs and cold compresses.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Avoid all forms of exercise that put pressure on your vulva, like horseback riding.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Clean the area carefully with plain water (do not use harsh soaps).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Always use a good lubricant during sexual intercourse.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reduce stress and focus on getting enough quality sleep.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Book an Appointment Today<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you need expert help and guidance, we&#8217;re here at your disposal. Schedule an appointment with us today and get your health back on track.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the United States, approximately 16 percent of women deal with vulvar pain at some point in life. When this<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1468,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[243],"tags":[453,451,449,450,452],"class_list":["post-1467","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gynecology","tag-pain-in-vaginal-area","tag-vagina-throbbing","tag-vulvar-pain","tag-vulvodynia","tag-vulvodynia-treatment"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1467","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1467"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1467\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1468"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1467"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1467"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1467"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}