There are a number of female conditions that women have had to endure for years, without being able to get long-term relief. This includes disorders such as vulvodynia and/or vulvar vestibulitis. However, thanks to research, some experts in the medical community now has a greater understanding of this once ‘mysterious’ conditions. Consequently, for those who have this terrible condition, there is now a treatment approach that has been used by thousands of women with success.
What is Vulvodynia?
Chronic burning, rawness, and/or stinging pain in the vulva at the vaginal opening is known as vulvodynia. The condition makes the external genital tissues extremely sensitive, often rendering activities such as sitting for extended periods, exercising, wearing tight clothing, and intercourse uncomfortable and painful. Other symptoms of vulvodynia can include vaginismus where the muscles surrounding the vagina go into spasm due to anticipated pain with penetration on intercourse and spasm of pelvic floor muscles known as pelvic floor tension myalgia.
What is Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome (VVS)?
VVS also refers to pain in the vulva region, but in this case, the pain is localized in the area of the vulvar vestibule and only occurs with touch of the vestibule or upon penetration with intercourse. It is therefore a subtype of vulvodynia. It is also referred to as vestibulodynia. Women with VVS often find sexual intercourse painful, and even inserting tampons can cause extreme discomfort (learn more).
What is Essential Vulvodynia?
In this subtype of vulvodynia, the pain is continuous and not changed appreciably by contact of the vestibule. The pain is not always localized to the vestibule but can extend to include the labia minora and majora. It is spontaneous and is present without any physical stimulus to the tissues. Another synonymousous term for this is Dysesthetic Vulvodynia.
Newer terms have recently been proposed for for these subtypes called Generalized Vulvodynia and Localized Vulvodynia, but they add a degree of confusion rather than there intended purpose of clarification.
Where are the experts for this condition?
At Fowler Gyn International (FGI), they utilize an advanced diagnostic approach to determine the etiology of vulvodynia. As a result of this, they are able to design an individualized treatment plan that targets the associated underlying abnormality. Their treatment approach have been used by thousands of women with success.
If you’d like to find out more about vulvodynia, call FGI at 480-420-4001. You can also set up a consultation with Dr. R. Stuart Fowler online, at http://www.fowlergyninternational.com/contact-us.