Sexual intercourse is painful for some women, and one cause of the discomfort is due to a condition called Vulvodynia (vul-vo-DIN-ee-uh). You aren’t alone if you haven’t heard of it; many M.D.s and other healthcare providers have not heard of this condition, either.
Also those who experience it often don’t know that acupuncture and Chinese medicine can be a very helpful treatment!
Vulvodynia is defined as chronic pain of the external female genitalia. The amount of pain or discomfort varies from woman to woman. Some women not only experience painful intercourse but also have itchiness, discomfort and pain throughout the day.
Here are some of the questions that I have been asked:
Q. Why haven’t I heard of this condition?
A. It isn’t rare, but genital matters can be embarrassing to discuss so, unless you or a loved one have Vulvodynia, you probably aren’t going to know much about it.
Q. What are the symptoms?
A. Common symptoms include: painful burning, itching or throbbing at the entrance to the vagina, labia or other areas of the vulva. Intercourse may be painful; daily activities maybe interrupted; and there is a negative toll on emotional and physical well-being.
Symptoms may be constant, come and go, or happen only when pressure is applied to the vulva. Generally, there are no visible symptoms which makes the diagnosis even more difficult.
Q. How do women get Vulvodynia?
A. The cause remains a mystery but possibilities include: nerve irritation; muscle spasms; hormonal changes; genetic factors; a hypersensitivity to yeast; sexual abuse; allergies; or irritation caused by certain products.
Some women can pinpoint the beginning, maybe an infection, but there is no known cause for many women. Remember; it is a real problem; you are not crazy or frigid.
Q. Is it a sexually transmitted disease?
A. NO
Q. What are the treatments options?
A. Currently, common treatments include:
- Topical medications like lidocaine and estrogen cream.
- Anti-depressants
- Physical therapy,
- Biofeedback,
- Surgery (very controversial)
- Botox injections in the vagina
- More women are turning to Chinese medicine because it can be very successful. I have seen great results in my Chicago practice using acupuncture and herbs (both topical and in pill form).
