When Your Sex Life Is a Pain

Pain can seriously affect your quality of life, and if you're getting discomfort in your genital area then it can destroy your sex life too. Vulvodynia is a chronic painful condition that's estimated to affect as many as 15 percent of women. Here's what you need to know:

What is it?
The vulva is the genital area surrounding the vagina. The pain of vulvodynia can be felt anywhere in this area and can affect the skin around the bottom too.

What does it look like?
The external appearance of vulvodynia is often normal, which makes it difficult to diagnose. What most women will experience is painful discomfort which is often made worse by sitting down. These symptoms will vary with time and between individuals. Some women will get mild discomfort while others will experience more severe and persistent pain.

What causes it?
Nobody knows for sure but it's thought the nerve fibres in the vulva become oversensitive. It's thought the feelings of pain are increased by stress too. What is known is the condition isn't infectious and it doesn't lead to cancer.

Treatment
There are many treatments which, while they may not get rid of the condition, can ease the pain. Amitriptyline is an old-fashioned form of anti-depressant which in low doses can help desensitise the nerve fibres in the vulval area. Other painkillers that work on calming the sensory nerves can be helpful too.

General advice
Avoiding soaps and bubble bath is important as these detergents can irritate the skin. Using an emollient such as aqueous cream can help soothe the skin.

Counseling
Vulvodynia can put you off sex and have consequences for your relationship. Sometimes psychosexual counselling can help restore your sexual function. Visit www.vulvalpainsociety.org