Vulvar Pain: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

It is common for women to suffer from vulvar pain and discomfort at some time in their lives. Vulvodynia is characterized by pain in the genital area that lasts for more than three months and has no obvious explanation. While vulvodynia can affect anyone at any time, new studies have shown that women in their twenties and thirties are at the greatest risk for developing the condition.

What Is Vulva?

The vulva constitutes a tissue surrounding the entrance of a female’s vagina. In fact, it includes the labia majora, labia minor, the vestibule as well as the clitoris. Numerous women usually experience discomfort in the vulvar region due to certain unseen or unexpected conditions. If the throbbing pain lasts for more than two months, it signifies a condition called vulvodynia.

Types Of Vulvar Pain

Vulvar pain is categorized into four types. These types are listed below for your convenience.

1. Generalized Vulvodynia

This pain can emerge quite spontaneously in the vulva region. The pain can last for months or even years if neglected. If you feel like you have been experiencing vulvar pain for more than three months now, it may be high time to get in touch with your gynecologist.

2. Localized Vulvodynia

Sometimes, you may experience pain that is mostly concentrated in a particular area of your vulva. It could be in the labia major, labia minora, or even in the clitoris. This labial pain may disappear after some time.

3. Cyclic Vulvitis

This type of vulvar pain is usually as period as your menstrual cycle. The pain might seem to worsen right before you start menstruating. However, it usually recedes as the days pass by.

4. Vestibulodynia

This type of pain usually occurs at the entrance region of your vagina or at the vestibule. The pain may seem to be unbearable and therefore the right treatment can help in relieving the pain.

Effects Of Vulvodynia On A Person's Life

Some of the major effects of vulvodynia include the following listed below.

1. You might experience throbbing pain if you sit for too long.

2. Vulvodynia can have a negative impact on your sexual relationships.

3. You might not be able to have peaceful sleep at night.

4. There are limited options of clothing you can preferably opt for.

5. Vulvodynia lasting for years may lead to anxiety as well as depression.

Symptoms Of Vulvar Pain

Some of the most common symptoms of vulvar pain experienced by women include the following:

• Burning sensation

• Stinging sensation

• Throbbing pain or discomfort

• Pressurized pain

• Pain during intercourse

• Pain when inserting a tampon

• Discomfort when sitting

One of the most important things to realize when searching for symptoms is that the tissue in the vulvar region usually looks quite normal as well as healthy in people who suffer from the issue.

Causes Of Vulvar Pain

Before you try to learn more about the causes of vulvar pain, it may be important for you to understand that this condition isn’t contagious. Besides, it is also not a serious sign of tumor or cancer. Some of the major causes are listed below for your convenience.

1. Yeast Infections

Women with recurrent cases of yeast infection are more likely to develop pain in vulva region. Thus, this is mostly because the multiple cases of infections cause an increase in the overall production of nerve fibers in the vulvar region. Therefore, this can in turn increase the intensity of vulvar pain.

2. Genetic Disorders

Sometimes, certain genetic differences in women can make cells more prone to reaction due to inflammatory conditions or hormonal imbalance. Inflammation in turn can cause increased blood flow, sometimes leading to the soreness of the vulvar region or even swelling.

3. Sexual Trauma

Numerous nerve endings in the vulvar region may experience trauma during childbirth, sexual intercourse, or even sexual abuse. Apart from that, horseback riding as well as bicycling can also cause trauma to the vulvar region.

4. Chronic Pain

Women who have been diagnosed with vulvar pain are usually more likely to develop irritable bowel syndrome as well as fibromyalgia. In fact, vulvodynia is distantly related to inflammatory conditions as well.

5. Allergies

Numerous soaps and deodorants can irritate the skin on the vulvar region causing allergic reactions. Some of the symptoms include inflammation, pain as well as irritation.

When To Seek Medical Attention For Vulvar Pain?

If the pain has lasted for more than two or even three months now, you will need to consult your doctor and talk to them openly about vulvar pain. In fact, this type of pain can have a major negative impact on your lifestyle as well as your relationships. By seeking treatment at an early stage, the main cause for vulvar pain can be determined and immediate treatment can be started right away!

How To Diagnose Vulvar Pain?

Before your doctor works on your health issue, he or she may ask for the following details.

• If you have been suffering from recurrent vaginal infections.

• If the pain seems to become extreme, especially during intercourse.

• If you have been suffering from any vaginal dryness.

• If there are any similar cases in your family.

Your doctor will then carry out a pelvic test to determine signs of infection. Apart from that, a sample of the vulvar tissue may also be collected to check for any yeast infections. A cotton swab will be also used to determine the type of vulvar pain you are experiencing.

Treatment For Vulvar Pain

If vulvar pain is caused due to an infection, your doctor may prescribe a few medications to treat it. However, if the pain is mostly caused due to a product that your skin is allergic to, you may be advised to not use the product anymore. In fact, an anti-inflammatory gel or a cream may be prescribed.

If the main cause for your pain cannot be determined, your doctor may recommend the following remedies to relieve your pain.

• Affordable anti-inflammatory creams.

• Tricyclic Antidepressants.

• Massage to tighten the muscles of the vulvar region.

• Surgery

It may be important for you to understand that surgery is only advised in rare cases where the pain may be concentrated in the vestibule region. The irritated or infected tissue will be removed to help you relieve the pain.

How To Prevent Vulvar Pain?

There are numerous ways to relieve yourself from vulvar pain, besides preventing it at the same time. Some of the things one could do are listed below.

• Make sure to wear only good-quality cotton underwear. These have better absorbing capacity than most of the synthetic underwear out there.

• Consider not wearing your underwear when going to sleep.

• Do not wear tight clothes that surround your vulvar region.

• Do not use soaps, perfumes, or even shampoos in the vulvar region. Make sure to clean the area with plain clean water or a chemical-free intimate wash.

• Always use unscented sanitary products such as plain hygienic tampons as well as sanitary pads.

• During intercourse, you can opt for a lubricant especially if you frequently experience vaginal dryness.

• If you have dry skin layering in the vulvar region, you can apply Vaseline or any kind of petroleum jelly right after a bath.

• After urinating, make sure to wash your vulva besides wiping it clean.

• If your vulva region is sore, you can apply a block of cold ice or a gel pack.

• If you have been experiencing vulvar pain for more than a few months now, it may be high time to consult your gynecologist.