Vulvar Pain
Vulvo-vaginal pain, or vulvodynia, is a very real condition that can effect 1 in 8 women over a lifetime. There are numerous causes of this condition, and most are treatable. At SSM Health, our women's health specialists take your vaginal pain and discomfort seriously and specialize in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of this condition.
As there may be more than one cause for the pain, we use a multidisciplinary approach for treatment and are committed to giving women options, resources, and comfort from their pain.
Symptoms of Vulvar Pain
If you suffer from the following symptoms you may benefit from a consultation with an SSM Health provider:
- Vulvovaginal pain: This can include rawness, stretching and throbbing pain
- Burning or itching of the vagina or vulva (vulvar irritation)
- Painful intercourse
- Painful urination
- Vaginal dryness
- Urethritis (inflammation of the urethra)
- Inability to place a tampon or have sexual relations
Conditions We Treat
These are just a few of the conditions that we treat:
- Lichen Sclerosus
- Lichen Planus
- Atrophic Vaginitis
- Chronic Yeast infections
- Chronic Bacterial Vaginitis
- Vestibulitis
- Vulvodynia
- Lichen Simplex Chronicus
- Vaginismus
What You Should Know about Vulvar Pain
Many women hesitate to seek treatment for their vulvar pain, even though it impacts their day-to-day lives. If you are suffering from vulvar pain, it's important for you to understand:
- Vulvar pain is usually not associated with malignancy.
- Vulvar pain is not sexually transmitted.
- Vulvar pain is not due to poor hygiene.
- Improvement can take weeks to months.
- Treatment setbacks may occur; they are not necessarily the fault of you or your provider.
- The pain is not in your head; it is in your vulva.
- We understand that chronic pain is exhausting and can be demoralizing.
- You do need support. If friends and family are not enough, there are options.
- If you are in a relationship, both of you are affected by this condition. Couples counseling may be beneficial.
- It is OK to seek information on your own. The more you know about this disease the more control you have.
- Frequently patients become depressed. There are treatment options. We may suggest antidepressants during your treatment. We do not think this is in your head, but chronic pain can be devastating.
The SSM Health women's health team is here for you and will work with you to get to the bottom of your pain. Our compassionate team will handle your care with sensitivity and understanding. Schedule an appointment for a consultation today.