Health News

Causes of vulvar pain in vestibulitis and its treatments

Vestibulitis vulvary, also known as Vestibulite Vulvary (VVS) or vestibulodynia syndrome, refers to a kind of vulvodynia (pain around the vulva) which occurs in the vulvary vestibule. The vulvary vestibule is the zone of the vulva behind the clitoris and between the lips.

Vulvodynia describes vulvar pain that continued for at least three months and is not caused by a specific condition or event, such as sexually transmitted infection (IST) or injury. For many people, the pain worsens during pressure or penetration, such as when inserting a stamp, driving a bicycle or having sex.

Drazen Zigic / Getty images


Causes and risk factors

We don’t know exactly what causes pain around the vulva. However, researchers have identified several causes and potential underlying risk factors, such as:

  • Neuropathic problems, such as nerve lesions or hyper-proliferation of nerve fibers in the vulva (an increase in the number of nerve cells)
  • Hypersensitivity due to previous problems, such as vaginal injuries or infections
  • Chronic allergies
  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Problems such as weakness in the pelvic floor (a group of muscles and tissues that support the organs of the basin)
  • Genetics, which can make you more subject to inflammatory problems

Vulvodynia subtypes

Vulvodynia can be classified as:

  • Generalized (affecting various parts of the vulva or the whole vulva) or localized (affecting a single part of the vulva).
  • Intermittent, persistent, constant or immediate.
  • Provoked (caused by specific action, such as sexual intercourse), spontaneous or mixed.

How are and resemble the symptoms

The pain associated with vulvary vestibulitis has been described as:

  • Painful
  • Burning
  • Irritating and “raw”
  • Itch
  • Sharp
  • Painful
  • Stab
  • Sting
  • Beat

Although your skin is swollen, the condition generally does not change the appearance of your vulva.

Pain often gets worse during certain activities, such as:

  • Exercise
  • Have sex
  • Buffer
  • Bike
  • Seated for a long time
  • Use of toilets (urinate or have a saddle)
  • Wear tight clothes

Sex and privacy

One of the main symptoms of vulvary vestibulitis is dyspareunia, which is pain during or after intercourse. This can cause problems in relationships, stress and sexual dysfunction, including emotional distress and reducing sexual satisfaction. Even if you want to have sex, you may hesitate to do so because of potential pain. Over time, people with vulvary vestibulitis can associate sex with pain, resulting in fear and anxiety around sex and excitement.

Sexual partners of people with vulvary vestibulitis can also be affected. Research suggests that they are more likely to feel an erectile dysfunction (ED) and also report less sexual satisfaction.

Treatment to manage pain

If you are diagnosed with a vulvary vestibulite, your care team may include all or part of the following health care providers:

  • A gynecologist or ob-gyn (obstetrician-gynecologist)
  • A mental health care provider
  • A pain specialist
  • A physiotherapist

Treatment options may include:

  • Topical drugs, such as analgesic creams or estrogen cream
  • Oral drugs, such as anti-fading drugs or antidepressants
  • Injectable drugs, such as local anesthetics and steroids
  • Physiotherapy to make the muscles of the pelvic floor stronger
  • Ultrasound or electrical stimulation to reduce pain
  • Triggling point massage
  • Cognitivo-behavioral therapy (TCC) or other forms of psychotherapy (Talk Therapy) if you feel emotional distress
  • Counseling couple if you feel sexual dysfunction in your relationship
  • A nervous block to relax the muscles of the pelvic floor
  • Surgery, known as vestibulectomy, to eliminate pain tissue in the vulva if other treatments fail to provide relief

It may also be advisable to manage your symptoms at home by:

  • Apply cooling gel or cold compresses on the vulvar area
  • Apply an oil jelly to the affected area after the bath
  • Avoid potentially irritating cleaning products
  • No shower
  • Tap your vulva dry after urination
  • Use of pads instead of stamps and cotton-cotton if others are irritating
  • Use a lot of vaginal lubricant when you have sex
  • Wearing loose clothes
  • Wear only cotton underwear and do not wear underwear when you sleep

A word of very good

Vestibulitis vulvar caused by irritants can be treated by eliminating the trigger and applying topical steroids. Cases due to low estrogen can be improved by applying topical estrogen creams. For neuropathic causes, physiotherapy and medical management of the pelvic floor may be necessary. Serious cases may require surgery.


How it is diagnosed

If you think you may have a vulvary vestibulitis, your health care provider can exclude other potential causes of pain, such as urinary tract infection (UTI), with tests like a cotton swab, a urine test and / or a biopsy (by removing a fabric sample to analyze in a laboratory). In addition to a physical and visual examination and examining your symptoms, a supplier could also ask questions about your medical and sexual history.

Can vulvary vestibulitis disappear?

Symptoms of vulvary vestibulitis are generally chronic, which means that they continue in the long term, although they can come and go. However, they can disappear for themselves in some people. They can also be managed and reduced using treatment and autooso -car methods.

When to see a supplier

You should consider seeing a health care provider if you feel persistent pain in your vulva, especially if it affects your daily functioning or your sex life. In particular, immediately contact a health care provider if your pain is getting worse or more frequent.

Summary

Vestibulitis vulvary is a kind of vulvodynia, chronic pain in the vulva without known cause, which is located in the vulvary vestibule. Pain often worsens during sex or when applying the pressure on the area, for example by inserting a stamp.

Many different treatment options include oral and topical drugs, physical therapy and trigger point therapy. Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can help the mental and emotional symptoms of chronic pain and sexual dysfunction. Surgery may be necessary if other treatments fail.

Very well health uses only high -quality sources, including studies evaluated by peers, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to find out more about how we check the facts and keep our content precise, reliable and trustworthy.
  1. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Persistent vulvar pain.

  2. De Seta F, Ianniello P, Carlucci s, et al. New topical therapy for caused vestibulodynia: improvement in psychological and sexual well-being. Int j around public health. 2023; 20 (3): 1931. Doi: 10.3390 / Ijerph20031931

  3. MEDLINEPLUS. Vulvodynia.

  4. De Seta F, Ianniello P, Carlucci s, et al. New topical therapy for caused vestibulodynia: improvement in psychological and sexual well-being. Int j around public health. 2023; 20 (3): 1931. Doi: 10.3390 / Ijerph20031931

  5. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Vulvodynia.

  6. National Health Service. Vulvodynia (vulvar pain).

Laura Dorwart

By Laura Dorwart

Dr. Dorwart has a doctorate. UC San Diego and is a health journalist interested in mental health, pregnancy and disability rights.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button