Vulvodynia is a condition that is characterized by chronic pain near the opening of the vulva (also known as the vagina). There is no known cause for vulvodynia. Women who experience vulvodynia often have symptoms such as burning and pain that may be severe enough to make it difficult to have sexual intercourse or even sit in a chair. Vulvodynia can last for months or even years. There are about six million women in the United States have vulvodynia. Vulvodynia may also be known as vulvar pain syndrome, vestibulitis, vestibulodynia, or clitoridynia.

The main symptom of vulvodynia is pain near the opening of the vagina. The pain that is felt near the opening of the vagina may also be associated with signs or symptoms such as burning, soreness, stinging, rawness, pain during intercourse, throbbing, or itching. The pain that occurs with vulvodynia may occur sometimes or all the time. The pain may be felt in the entire vagina or just in one spot such as at the opening of the vagina. The vaginal tissues may appear swollen or inflamed.

While it is unclear what causes vulvodynia, there are certain factors that may be associated with a woman developing the condition. Factors that may be related to the cause of vulvodynia include a prior vaginal infection, having certain allergies or having sensitive skin, having had changes in your hormones, having an injury to the nerves surrounding the vagina, or having irritation around the nerves surrounding the vagina.

The treatment plan for treating vulvodynia is one that involves focusing on the relief of the symptoms that occur with the condition. There is no one specific treatment that works for each woman who develops vulvodynia. One type of treatment that may work best for one woman may not work for another. In addition, it make take a combination of treatments to relieve the symptoms of vulvodynia. It is also unclear how long it will take to see a response from treatment. Treating vulvodynia could take a few weeks or even a couple of months.

Treatment options for vulvodynia may include medications (such as steroids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, or antihistamines), biofeedback therapy (may help decrease pain), local anesthetics (such as lidocaine ointment), injections of local nerve blocks, pelvic floor therapy, or surgery (such as a vestibulectomy to remove the affected skin and tissue).