Vulvodynia

It is the situation where women feel a mysterious, severe burning and pain that lasts for months in their external sexual organs (vulva, clitoris, lips, and vaginal entrance), even though there is no visible disease or microbe.

In vaginismus, the vaginal muscles contract and lock involuntarily because the woman is afraid. Vulvodynia, on the other hand, is not a contraction, but a NERVE PAIN. Even if the muscles are relaxed, the slightest touch to that area (intercourse, toilet paper, etc.) causes terrible pain.

Patients describe this situation as "an unbearable burning and electric shock as if acid was poured on an open wound, being cut with a razor, or pepper was rubbed on it." This feeling can be triggered even while wearing tight pants, riding a bicycle, or just sitting on a chair.

ABSOLUTELY NOT! Vulvodynia is a real physical disease. It is a neuropathic pain syndrome caused by the nerve endings in the vulva becoming hypersensitive without inflammation, the collapse of the pain threshold, and spasms in the pelvic floor muscles.

The doctor rules out all infections and skin diseases (fungus, eczema, etc.). Then, they touch the vulvar areas very lightly, like a feather, with a cotton swab (Q-tip). If this touch, which normally shouldn't hurt at all, creates a pain like a knife stabbing in the patient, the diagnosis is made.

Ordinary painkillers or antibiotics DO NOT WORK. Treatment is multifaceted:
1) Neuropathy pills (Gabapentin/Amitriptyline) that cut off pain signals and local creams that numb the area are used.
2) With Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy, which is the most successful method, the muscles that have been locked due to pain for years are relaxed from the inside with massage and biofeedback methods.