Any kind of vulvar pain or itching, burning, stinging or piercing feeling in the vulva (area around the opening of the vagina) regardless of etiology is termed as vulvodynia. Vulvodynia is also known as dysesthesia. The intensity of pain can vary from mild to disabling. Pain can be burning, stinging, irritating. which varies and can occur on aggravation like attempted vaginal penetration with sexual intercourse.
Causes of vulvodynia?
Though the exact cause of vulvodynia is not known these are the few factors which may result in vulvodynia:-
* Having Yeast infections often.
* Intake of antibiotic medicines often.
* Pain caused with the use of soaps or detergents in clothing.
* Having rashes on the genital area.
* If you had laser treatments or surgery previously on the external genitals.
* Vulvodynia can be the cause of earlier or current genital warts.
* If you are having irritation in the nerve or muscle spasm in pelvic area.
Diagnoses of vulvodynia
Diagnosing of vulvodynia is not very easy sometimes a woman with vulvodynia suffers for many years and may visit or consult many doctors before vulvodynia is correctly diagnosed as often the vulva and the vagina shows no abnormalities or infections on evaluating gynecologicaly or dermatologicaly.
Doctor will firstly check for bacteria and yeast by advising you to have pelvic exam and tests. If test results of pelvic exam are not normal your doctor may then advice you to have colposcopy or a biopsy. In Colposcopy special magnifying glass is used to examine the genital area. In biopsy genital area is anesthetized with a painkiller, and a small piece of tissue is taken to view the genital area with a microscope.
Treatment of vulvodynia
The treatment of vulvodynia usually depends on the cause of your vulvodynia. There are many treatments for individuals suffering from Vulvodynia and also different treatment works for different individuals. Doctor may treat all the symptoms of vulvodynia by combination of different treatments. Some types of vulvar pain get better with creams or pills made to treat yeast infections. Different treatments which can be used are:-
* Antibiotics are given for treating bacteria and any secondary infection that may occur. Thereafter you may be given anti-convulsing drugs if your doctor feels that the pain is due to damage of nerve. These drugs usually have some side affects so one has to be careful in taking these drugs.
* Anti-inflammatories like zinc lotion, ointments, vitamin E oil, and cold compresses are used for the treatment of vulvodynia. This is not an expensive treatment. These Anti-inflammatories helps in reducing irritation, burning and rashes.
* Anxiolytics Drugs are given to reduce anxiety and stress caused by vulvodynia.
* Drugs known as antidepressants are given to lessen the depression caused by Vulvodynia. These antidepressants can also help reducing unrelieved pain.
* Sitz baths( bathing the vulva area in a saline solution)helps in reducing soreness, and irritation.
* Acupuncture:- Some doctors may recommend acupuncture. Acupuncture actually eases pain in any part of the body, it is not necessary for the person performing the acupuncture to know exactly where the pain is.
* lidocaine used for local anesthesia can also provide some temporary relief in the pain.
* Exercises:- While exercising our body releases endorphins which help in controlling pain.
* Surgery: - This is the final treatment which is given to severe cases Surgeries are of two types’ scalpel and laser. In laser surgery lasers are used to remove the damaged area. Laser surgery can be very painful and takes time to recover. In Scalpel surgery, part of the sensitive area is detached and the skin around it is pulled over. It takes few weeks to recover after scalper surgery.
