VULVODYNIA: THE 6 SYMPTOMS TO KEEP UNDER CONTROL - IN SHAPE

Vulvodynia: 6 symptoms to watch out for

Very common but little known and difficult to diagnose, vulvodynia is a pathological condition that manifests itself with pain and burning in the area of the vulva, despite the absence of visible clinical lesions.
If these sensations extend to the entire vulvar area we are talking about vulvodynia, if instead they are limited only to the vestibule - that is, the part between the vaginal intake and the innermost part of the labia minora - we are talking about vestibulodynia, a widely more widespread condition. , as it affects 90% of women suffering from this type of problem (although the generic term "vulvodynia" is more commonly used). Finally, if the sensation of pain and burning affects only the clitoris, then we are dealing with clitoridodynia .

The pain can be spontaneous and arise without any specific cause or caused by contact, such as during and after sexual intercourse, with the use of very tight or absorbent clothing and with rubbing with hard surfaces, or from trivial movements, such as sitting , cross your legs or, in severe cases, even simply walk.

Often, you will hear the term "vestibulitis" used improperly as a synonym for vestibulodynia, but this is not entirely correct: the suffix -ite in fact, indicates an infectious inflammatory condition, but, as we have seen, in these pathologies they are not present visible lesions or inflammatory states. This data makes the diagnosis particularly complex which on average can occur even 4 years after the onset of the initial symptoms.

There is no precise age group in which this pathology occurs, which can indistinctly affect women from adolescence to menopause.

Before proceeding, we remind you of some rules that are always valid to respect proper intimate hygiene and avoid running into infections and inflammations.

You must know that...

Before proceeding however, we want to reassure you. This article is not intended to be a medical summary with an alarmist tone but rather a small guide to help you understand if you notice symptoms that you do not know well and which you can give a precise name, with a single purpose: to entrust yourself to a specialist and start your journey. of care and healing.

In fact we would like to tell you, first of all that:

it is a treatable disease;
it affects many women and for this reason you don't have to feel alone;
you can talk about it freely because there is nothing to be ashamed of, but on the contrary, only by talking about it with someone, and in particular the general practitioner and an appropriate specialist, will you be able to speed up the recovery process and return as soon as possible to having an intimate life and more serene staff.

The 6 most common symptoms of vulvodynia

Now we show you the 6 most common symptoms characteristic of this pathology that could act as alarm bells that should not be underestimated.

1. Pain and burning in the vulvar area and beyond

We have already talked about these sensations, which are the most indicative of the aforementioned pathology, but let's go into more specifics to allow you to better understand if you recognize yourself in this picture.

The type of pain that women suffering from this discomfort feel can be similar to needle or pin pricks, stinging and electric shocks that focus mostly on the pubis, on the vulva up to the perianal area.
As already mentioned, these sensations can arise spontaneously or even just by touching the area.
The sensation of needles, pins and electric shocks can radiate to the base of the back - in the lower back - to the legs or tailbone.

It can also make it impossible to sit for a long time, to wear underwear, tight pants or tights, to the point of making even a simple walk intolerable.

To this is added a strong burning, sensations similar to cuts on the mucosa up to a sense of abrasion or burn at the entrance of the vagina.

In order to talk about this pathology, the symptoms described up to here, and those that follow, must have a duration of three continuous months or more.

2. Numbness, swelling, dryness and redness

You can also experience a feeling of swelling and numbness, especially in the vestibular area, as well as redness, itching and dryness on the labia minora and labia majora.

That's why it could be literally impossible to wear even just plain briefs. Any kind of contact can be a real torture.

3. Dyspaurenia

You may also feel dyspareunia, which is vaginal pain during sexual intercourse. To this can be added altered sexual desire and response to arousal, as well as difficulty in reaching orgasm.

4. Urinary symptoms

Not always, but not infrequently, the discomfort can extend beyond the vulvar area, also reaching the urethral area and the anus.
In particular, urinary and bladder symptoms may occur including:

sense of suprapubic weight and bladder tenesmus
frequency of urination
burning during or after urination and urethral burning in general
feeling of not emptying

These are typical symptoms of an infection, such as cystitis, but the swab and urine culture are negative precisely because we are not in the presence of bacteria (infection).

In addition to these affecting the bladder, symptoms related to irritable bowel syndrome may occur.

5. Hyper-contractility of the vulvoperineal musculature

Muscle contractions may also be found, especially in the vuvloperineal area.
Very often, in fact, those suffering from vulvodynia or vestibulodynia have a hypertonicity of the pelvic floor, that is a contracture of this area that plays a fundamental role in supporting the pelvic organs, including vagina, uterus, bladder, anus and rectum.
From here it will be easier for you to understand why there are many areas in suffering when faced with a pathology like this.

6. States of depression and anxiety

Continuous discomfort, states of anxiety, depression, inability to concentrate and mood swings are also a constant of this type of clinical picture.

What to do if these symptoms occur?

If you recognize yourself in this wide and complex symptomatology, or even if you just have doubts about it, our advice is to undergo a "careful visit to a specialist in the sector. Only in this way can you be sure of the diagnosis and start the first one. possible a cure, designed according to your clinical picture.

Speak openly to the doctor, without shame or fear, and accurately report all the sensations you feel: the professional in question will be able to listen to you, understand you and provide you with an adequate and tailored treatment path, which includes a multidisciplinary and holistic approach to greater effectiveness.
In fact, there is no "single cure for this type of pathology, but the relationship with the patient and the intervention on several fronts - from the purely physical to the psychological one up to the involvement of daily habits and behavioral norms - is fundamental to relieve discomfort caused by the disease and allow her to return to a more serene, satisfying and free daily life.