Get Help for “Down There” Pain or Vulvodynia
Chronic vulvar pain around the outside of the vagina is a painful and debilitating condition that affects an estimated 14 million American women. Most people never heard of it, and it’s time to end the silence.
Vulvodynia, also referred to as “the pain down there” or “feminine pain,” is chronic discomfort or pain of the vulva, which is the area around the outside of the vagina. It is a persistent condition for which there is no apparent cause and no single effective treatment. Vulvodynia can have stressful effects on every day life and relationships. A lack of sufficient consumer and health care provider information may contribute to a delayed diagnosis and the ultimate long-term suffering of vulvodynia patients.
Researchers estimate that as many as 18 percent of women will experience symptoms consistent with vulvodynia. Many women suffer with unexplained vulvar pain for months—even years—before a correct diagnosis is made and an appropriate treatment plan is determined. Studies have shown that almost half of the women with symptoms chose not to seek treatment, even when these symptoms limited sexual intimacy. (Bachmann et. al, 2006).
“The time has come to talk openly and directly about vulvodynia—its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment—so that the quality of life of sufferers of this condition can be improved,” said Vivian W. Pinn, M.D., Director, Office of Research on Women’s Health, NIH.
There is currently no cure for vulvodynia. But there are treatments for some of the symptoms. Some current treatments include local pain relievers (medications), physical therapy, changes in diet, and drug treatment. Because each woman’s symptoms may be different, no one treatment works all the time or is right for everyone.
Many issues that were or may still be considered “sensitive” for women to discuss with their health care providers resulted too often in women suffering in silence. For example, breast cancer, menopause, urinary incontinence, cervical cancer, sexually transmitted infections, and uterine fibroids are a few examples of conditions that affect women and that only over recent years have women begun to feel more comfortable discussing openly.
Questions to Ask Your Health Care Professional
- Do any tests need to be done to diagnose why I have pain?
- What conditions do you need to rule out before you can make a correct diagnosis of vulvodynia?
- What topical or oral medications can you prescribe that will relieve my pain? What are the side effects?
- Are there non-drug, nonsurgical therapies that can reduce my pain and improve my condition?
- When can I expect the pain to subside?
- What can I do to cope with the pain and continue to lead an active lifestyle?
- What steps should I take to reduce vulvar irritation?
- What should I tell my partner about my condition?
- Are there support groups in this area for vulvodynia? Where can I get more information?
Talk with your health care provider if your experience vulvar pain. Do not suffer in silence.
