Vulvodynia – A Burning Pain in the Vagina

11.06.2012 | By: I. M.

Read about the signs, symptoms and treatment of vulvodynia, which is a very rare disease.

Vulvodynia causes an unpleasant and burning sensation in the vagina. (Photoxpress)

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What is vulvodynia?

Vulvodynia is chronic discomfort felt in the vagina, accompanied by burning pain and itching. Although the intensity of pain differs from woman to woman, the most common symptom of vulvodynia is strong pain in the genital area. Pain is felt differently by every woman, in terms of both location and duration. Vulvodynia can affect a woman’s sex life as well as her everyday activities. The disease is very poorly researched by experts and it occurs in rare cases. Consequently, an effective drug for the disease isn’t available on the market yet.

What causes vulvodynia?

No definite causes of vulvodynia have been established yet, but experts believe that it’s caused by various diseases and injuries of the vagina or related consequences. It’s often caused by irritation of the outer parts of the vagina, allergy or contractions of the muscle supporting and surrounding sexual organs. In some cases, it can be caused by the presence of oxalate crystals in urine. It is possible that vulvodynia is a sexually transmitted disease, but the experts haven't confirmed it yet. In case of vuvlodynia , the skin becomes red and swollen, but to confirm the diagnosis a gynecologist will first have to rule out the possibility of a fungal infection, genital herpes and bacterial infection.

What is the treatment for vulvodynia?

As there is no available drug on the market at the moment, no therapy is effective. The director of the University of Michigan Centre for Vulvar Diseases, Dr. Hope K. Haefner, says that the standard methods of health care are the most effective. Women are advised not to use soap to wash the vagina, wear cotton underwear, and use water-based lubricants. A cooling gel to relieve the pain is also recommended or you can also use certain pills. Many women are surprised because their gynecologist prescribes antidepressants to them, instead of pain killers. The aim of antidepressants in this case isn't to affect their well-being, but to alleviate an unbearable vaginal pain. Vulvodynia can also be treated with an operation, which is advised to women who feel pain at the vaginal opening and who don’t respond to other methods of treatment.

What can a woman do for herself?

Although underwear made from artificial materials is very modern nowadays, it’s important that a woman wears suitable underwear. In many cases, the unsuitable material of underwear causes irritation and infection of the vagina. Experts advise women again and again to buy cotton underwear, and it’s also very important to wear an undershirt because it warms the lower back and lower abdomen. By choosing suitable underwear, a woman can also prevent excessive white discharge and pain in the lower abdomen. It is also advisable to have a camomile bath now and then. You prepare the bath from dried camomile that you soak in hot water for a few minutes, then remove them, and use the camomile water to wash your private parts. This kind of bath is also advised in case of a vaginal or fungal infection. When washing your vagina , always use soap with neutral Ph or those made specifically for intimate care. It isn’t advisable to use soap inside the vagina, but if you still want to wash it, use water only.