Although often difficult to talk about, vulval pain can affect women of any age and at any time. At times sore, uncomfortable and relentless, this form of pain can be chronic and does much to impact the day-to-day living of those who suffer from it.
As a condition that is more common than people realise, living with vulval pain can be exhausting, draining and upsetting, with the women it affects reporting symptoms of depression, struggling with intimacy and feeling a significant loss in confidence.
What is vulval pain?
The type of vulval pain experienced can depend on the individual, but there are many symptoms that the women affected by this will recognise. Some of the most common of these are persistent burning or stinging sensations and constant soreness and throbbing. Many women have stated that this pain becomes more pronounced when the vulva or vagina is touched and this unpleasant feeling can also be triggered by sitting down. There are times when this pain subsides, but for some women, vulval pain is something that never goes away.
How is vulval pain caused?
The causes of vulval pain are many, but it is keen to stress that this is not normally a symptom of a more serious condition and does not come about as a result of your personal hygiene practices. It is commonly believed that vulval pain emerges because of a sensitivity to certain hygiene products, frequent issues with thrush, as a result of other infections in this area, different skin conditions or the vaginal dryness that can become apparent after the menopause.
Nerve damage could also have a part to play in vulval pain and this is something that can be experienced by those who have given birth or have undergone surgery in this area.
The benefit of Advanced Gynaecology
Vulval pain can be detrimental to your everyday living, so if this is something you are struggling with it’s always advisable to turn to a specialist to identify the source of this pain and find out how to manage this more effectively. Mr Francis Gardner has over 25 years of experience in Advanced Gynaecology and has developed an enviable reputation as one of the finest professionals in his field. If you’d like to earn a greater understanding of your vulval pain and begin to take steps to overcome this, get in touch today to book your first consultation or a One Stop See and Treat.
FAQ’s
Although it is unwise to completely rule this out, most vulval pain is not an indication of anything serious such as cancer.
There are several things you can do to make this pain more manageable, including wearing loose, comfortable clothing, using a special cushion when sitting down, substituting personal hygiene products for something less likely to cause irritation and attempting different positions during sex.
Following consultation, you may be advised to try a series of different methods in order to manage this pain effectively. This can include physiotherapy, medication and special gels.
As this is an issue of great sensitivity, many women are understandably reluctant to talk about it, even with their partners. There are a number of vulval pain support groups that can be accessed and these may be signposted to you during your consultation. Many women also find that therapy sessions can come some way to helping them to come to terms with this condition.