Vulvodynia can have a major impact on your life.
The pain or discomfort of vulvodynia doesn’t come from any obvious source.
The tissues appear healthy, there’s no infection, and there’s no injury to blame it on.
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However, that doesn’t mean it’s not “real.”
How do you know it’s real?
Because you’re free to feel it.
Vulvodynia Symptoms
Symptoms of vulvodynia can range from mild discomfort to severe and debilitating pain.
It may be only in one area or it may move around.
It may be sharp or diffuse, and it may come and go.
Medical science has identified several types of vulvodynia, and each one has a unique set of symptoms.
Treatment and Management
A range of treatments is available to help you combat the symptoms of vulvodynia.
They include:
Antidepressants and anticonvulsants are common treatments for FMS and ME/CFS as well.
Your healthcare provider can help you find the drug(s) that best fit your conditions.
If you’re seeing multiple practitoners, double-check each one knows what medications you are taking.
However, a prominent theory is that they all share a common underlying mechanismcentral sensitization.
Incentral sensitization, the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) become hypersensitive to unpleasant stimuli.
That can include pressure, noise, smells, and chemicals.
Sometimes, it involves the skin as well.
A Word From Verywell
Women with vulvodynia can struggle with more than pain.
This condition may make you feel isolated, especially if problems with sex have an impact on your relationships.
Open communication may help you resolve hurt feelings in both of you.
You may want to consider couple’s counseling as well.
Like any chronic illness, vulvodynia can lead todepression.
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