Vulvodynia is pain that occurs in the vulva, the outermost part of the female genital organs. Vulvodynia causes a painful sensation, such as burning, stabbing, or heat, in the vulva that causes discomfort.
Vulvodynia can be experienced by women of all ages. The pain may occur intermittently or persist for more than 3 months. Vulvodynia will make it difficult for sufferers to have sexual intercourse. This condition can also increase anxiety and trigger depression.
Types of Vulvodynia
Vulvodynia is divided into 2 types, namely:
- Generalized vulvodynia, which is pain in several areas of the vulva at different times. Pain in the vulva can occur intermittently or continuously. Touch can make the pain worse.
- Localized vulvodynia, which is pain in one area of the vulva. The pain that appears is usually triggered by touch or pressure, such as during sexual intercourse or sitting for too long.
Causes of Vulvodynia
Vulvodynia is not contagious and is not caused by an infection or sexually transmitted disease. The exact cause of vulvodynia is not known. However, there are several factors that are thought to be related and can trigger the appearance of vulvodynia, namely:
- Injury, irritation, or damage to the nerves around the vulva
- History of vaginal infection
- Allergies or sensitive skin
- Hormonal changes
- Muscle spasms or weakness of the pelvic floor muscles
- History of sexual abuse or previous trauma
Symptoms of Vulvodynia
Symptoms of vulvodynia can appear suddenly or continue for months to years. Vulvodynia will be characterized by the appearance of an uncomfortable sensation in the vulva that can be felt such as:
- Burning feeling
- Pain
- A stinging or stinging feeling
- Pain during sexual intercourse or dyspareunia
- Itchy feeling
In some women with vulvodynia, the vulva may appear slightly inflamed or swollen. However, in most cases, the vulva more often looks normal.
When to go to the doctor
Consult a doctor if you experience pain in the genital area. These symptoms can be early symptoms of vulvodynia. If the symptoms occur repeatedly and get worse, it is advisable to immediately see a doctor.
Patients who have been diagnosed with vulvodynia are advised to undergo regular treatment to help manage pain and prevent complications.
Diagnosis of Vulvodynia
To diagnose vulvodynia, the doctor will ask questions about the symptoms and complaints experienced as well as the patient's medical history.
Next, the doctor will examine the vulva and vaginal areas. Your doctor may take a sample from your vagina to make sure your symptoms aren't caused by an infection or irritation of the skin and genital area.
Doctors can also perform tests cotton swab. This test is performed by applying gentle pressure to the vulvar area to assess the severity of the pain.
If there are sores, lumps, or discoloration on the vulva, the doctor may perform a biopsy. This examination is done by taking a sample of vulvar tissue to be examined under a microscope, so that abnormal tissue is known or not.
Vulvodynia Treatment
Treatment of vulvodynia is different for each patient. Treatment is done to reduce the pain and discomfort felt. Your doctor may be able to suggest a combination of treatments for the best results.
Drugs
Medications used include:
- Antidepressant and anticonvulsant drugs, to treat nerve pain
- Ointments, such as creams and ointments that contain anesthetics to relieve pain
- Nerve block, which is an injection drug that can interfere with the signals that send pain from the nerves to the brain
Therapy
Treatments include:
- Physical therapy, to strengthen the pelvic muscles and reduce muscle spasms with a number of exercises
- Biofeedback, to help you relax the vaginal muscles to reduce pain
- TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), to help relieve pain using low-voltage electric current
- Counseling, to restore self-confidence and overall quality of life, especially because vulvodynia can affect the quality of sexual relations
Operation
The operation is carried out by the method vestibulectomy, which is a surgical procedure to remove tissue in the area where the patient feels pain. This procedure can be useful for women with localized vulvodynia. Vestibulectomy may also be an option if other treatments have not worked.
Self-medication
There are several self-medicating treatments at home to relieve the pain of vulvodynia, including:
- Using cooling gel to compress the vulva
- Do sitz baths 2-3 times a day using warm or cold water with Epsom salts or colloidal oatmeal for 5-10 minutes
- Gently clean the vulva area with clean water and dry with a towel
- Use lubricants when having sex, but avoid lubricating products that contain alcohol, flavorings, warming and cooling agents
- Use a soft seat if you have to sit for a long time to reduce pressure on the vulva area
- Manage stress in a positive way and get enough rest
Complications of Vulvodynia
Vulvodynia can cause several complications, including:
- Pain in the vulva during sex or activities
- Fear of having sex
- Vaginismus or spasms of the muscles around the vagina
- Worry
- Depression
- Sleep disturbance
- Sexual dysfunction
- Relationship problems
- Decreased quality of life
Prevention of Vulvodynia
The exact cause of vulvodynia is not known, so it is quite difficult to prevent it. However, lifestyle changes are believed to reduce the risk of this condition.
Some steps that can be applied to help prevent the occurrence of vulvodynia are:
- Using detergents that have been tested to be safe on the skin when cleaning underwear
- Using unscented toilet paper
- Wearing cotton underwear
- Avoid using creams or soaps that contain fragrances on the vagina
- Do not soak in hot tubs or pools that contain a lot of chlorine
- Always rinse the vulva with water after urinating and having sex
- Wearing loose pants or skirts and as much as possible not wearing stockings
- Keeps the vulva dry by avoiding prolonged sitting in a wet bathing suit or damp clothing