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Your vulva is the part of your genitals that protects your vagina, uterus and ovaries. It also protects the tube in your urinary system that carries pee out of your body (urethra).
The pain you feel when your vulva is touched, pressured or squeezed may be burning, itching, tingling or it could feel raw and painful. The pain might be constant or it might come and go. It may be in your whole vulva or just the opening to your vagina (vestibule).
You might feel pain when you touch or squeeze your vulva with a swab or when you touch an object, such as a pad or tampon. You might be able to find relief by touching or using something else, such as ice.
It can happen to women of all ages. The most common symptom is a persistent, chronic (lasting months or years) pain in and around the vulva and vagina. Other symptoms include pain when you sit, stand or exercise, and a reduced sex drive.
Having pain in your vulva can make you uncomfortable and it might even interfere with your relationships or your ability to have a normal sexual life. It can also cause you to stop doing some things you like, such as exercising or walking, because it’s too much trouble.
Your doctor can do a pelvic exam to look for skin changes, evaluate your pain and determine the extent of your symptoms. He might also press a cotton swab on different areas of your vulva and ask you to rate the pain from 0 to 10.
You may also need lab work to check for infections or other problems. Tests might include a urine culture, urinary tract infection (UTI) tests or yeast tests. Your doctor might also do a pap smear and colposcopy to see if you have cervical dysplasia or cancer of the cervix.
Vulvodynia is a common problem that most family physicians encounter. It can be a very distressing and painful condition that can limit your daily activities, reduce your sex drive and cause depression.
A woman’s history is key to diagnosing vulvodynia. In primary vulvodynia, look for pain when she first uses a tampon or performs a speculum examination, or during intercourse. When secondary vulvodynia develops, it’s more likely to occur after an episode of irritation that incorrectly is attributed to UTI, candidal or other vaginitis.
Your physician can prescribe a medication to relieve your vulvodynia symptoms. These medications may include ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen or other medicines.
If the medications do not help, your doctor might recommend physical therapy or massage or other treatments. These treatments can help relieve your vulvodynia and increase your confidence.
Other treatments can include changing your diet to cut out certain foods that can trigger your symptoms. It’s also helpful to try a new activity or to get some exercise to help you feel better and relieve the pain.
