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Vulvodynia

Vulvodynia is a chronic pain syndrome (of at least three months duration) that affects the vulvar area and occurs without an identifiable cause. Symptoms typically include a feeling of burning or irritation.

 

Symptoms:

The main vulvodynia symptom is pain in your genital area, which can be characterized by:

 

•       Burning

•       Soreness

•       Stinging

•       Rawness

•       Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)

•       Throbbing

•       Itching

 

The pain you experience may be constant or occasional and can last for months or even years, but it can vanish as suddenly as it started. You may feel the pain in your entire vulvar area (generalized), or it may be localized to a certain area, such as the opening of your vagina (vestibule).

 

Vulvodynia may also be provoked (i.e. insertional or contact) spontaneous.

 

A similar condition, vestibulodynia, may cause pain only when pressure is applied to the area surrounding the entrance to your vagina.

Vulvar tissue may look minimally inflamed or swollen. More often, your vulva appears normal.

Causes:

The causes of vulvodynia vary, some factors may include:

 

•       Frequent yeast infections or sexually transmitted infections

 

•       Chemical irritation of the external genitals (from soaps, feminine hygiene products or detergents in clothing)

 

•       Rashes on the genital area

 

•       Previous laser treatments or surgery on the external genitals

 

•       Nerve irritation, injury or muscle spasms in the pelvic area

 

•       Diabetes

 

•       Precancerous or cancerous conditions on the cervix

 

•       Genetics

 

•       Hormonal Factors

 

•       Psychosocial Factors

 

•       Structural defects

 

•       Other pain syndromes such as Painful Bladder Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, TMJ

Genito-Pelvic Pain / Penetration Disorder

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