Winning Woman

Pain is the most overwhelming symptom of vulvodynia.  Women with vulvodynia often describe the pain as searing, debilitating, unrelenting, or excruciating.  The pain is sometimes so bad it interferes with daily living, so of course they are going to want to know: “How long does vulvodynia last.”

What is Vulvodynia?

Vulvodynia is chronic pain around the vaginal opening that lasts for more than 3 months and has no identifiable cause.  Other symptoms of vulvodynia include itching, irritation, soreness, and pain with intercourse.

How Long Does Vulvodynia Last?

Vulvodynia is a chronic condition that can last for months or years.  Women have vulvodynia for varying periods of time, because the condition is not easily diagnosed and treated. 

Most women with vulvodynia struggle to get an accurate diagnosis because many gynecologists don’t have the necessary training, skills, or advanced diagnostic tools to properly diagnose and treat the condition.  As a result, women with vulvodynia are often misdiagnosed and treated for other gynecological conditions.  They routinely go 2 years or more without proper diagnosis or treatment.  

The experts in vaginal health care at Fowler GYN International (FGI) have successfully treated thousands of women with vulvodynia, and many of them had previously seen multiple physicians. 

FGI has been able to achieve success with treating vulvodynia, because they target the underlying cause of the condition.  This success is also due to clinical research and observation conducted over many years by Dr. R. Stuart Fowler, board-certified gynecologist of FGI. 

Through his research, Dr. Fowler discovered that the underlying etiology of vulvodynia is an altered vaginal microflora pattern.  As a result, he has helped many women get the relief they need from vulvodynia by customizing a treatment protocol to restore balance to the microflora. If you would like to learn more about vulvodynia, contact Fowler GYN International, Phoenix AZ, at fowlergyninternational.com, or by calling (480) 420-4001. 

If a diagnosis of vulvodynia has left you feeling puzzled and distressed, it’s important to understand that you’re not alone, because there are many other women out there suffering from the condition.   But what exactly is vulvodynia, and what causes it?

What exactly is vulvodynia?

Vulvodynia refers to pain, discomfort and burning around the opening of the vagina.   Vulva pain that lasts for upwards of 3 months and is not linked to a specific medical condition such as an infection or skin disorder is classified as vulvodynia.   The pain with vulvodynia is often so debilitating that it affects the overall quality of life. 

Vulvodynia pain can be constant or it may be triggered by touch or pressure.  The latter is known as provoked vulvodynia, and it can impact a woman’s ability to have sexual intercourse.  In addition to pain with intercourse, some women experience discomfort when sitting for long periods, inserting or removing a tampon, or walking.

Other symptoms of vulvodynia include irritation, rawness, and stinging.  Vulvodynia can affect women of any age. 

What causes vulvodynia?

Vulvodynia does not have an identifiable cause, but there are vulvovaginal specialists that have done research into the condition.   Dr. R. Stuart Fowler, of Fowler GYN International, is a leading specialist in vulvovaginal health and treats many women with vulvodynia. After years of clinical research, Dr. Fowler has recognized that women with vulvodynia tend to have an altered vaginal microflora (learn more).

The normal vaginal microflora contains a variety of good and bad bacteria, but the good bacteria usually outnumber the bad.  As a result, the vaginal secretions that bathe the vaginal mucosa perform a protective role.  However, if there is a shift in the balance of bacteria it can cause the bad bacteria to thrive.  The resulting vaginal secretions can irritate the vaginal tissues, and cause symptoms such as burning, irritation, and itching.

Are you experiencing vaginal pain that has no clear cause?  Contact the experts in vaginal care at Fowler GYN International, Paradise Valley, AZ for a consultation.

You can reach them at www.fowlergyninternational.com, or by calling (480) 420-4001.

Intercourse is normally pleasurable and enjoyable, so if you are experiencing painful intercourse it is certainly not normal.  However, if doctors have been unable to diagnose the underlying cause, it could be the sign of something more.

Is painful intercourse a sign of something more?

If you have been having painful intercourse for more than 3 months it could be a sign of vulvodynia.

Vulvodynia is a syndrome characterized by unexplained pain around the opening of the vagina.    The pain is chronic for some women, and as a result it interrupts their normal lifestyle, and they even find it difficult to sit or walk comfortably.

Other symptoms of vulvodynia include irritation, rawness, stinging, and burning in the vaginal area (click here to learn more).

What causes vulvodynia?

The symptoms associated with vulvodynia are often the result of an altered vaginal microflora pattern.

The vaginal microflora normally contains a combination of strains of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria, but there are typically more good bacteria, which provide an effective defense against infection.  However, if there is a shift in the normal balance, it can cause the bad bacteria to multiply.  When this occurs, the vaginal secretions that emanate from the vaginal fluid cause a range of symptoms linked to vulvodynia.

Treating vulvodynia

Vulvodynia can be treated effectively when an altered vaginal microflora pattern has been detected.  This can be done with the help of a vaginal fluid analysis (VFA) test. 

The VFA test was developed by Dr. R. Stuart Fowler of Fowler GYN International (FGI).  The test identifies the vaginal constituents, and a customized treatment plan is used to return the microflora to normal.  Once this has been achieved, the symptoms of vulvodynia will resolve.  It can take 4-8 months to see results.

Are you experiencing painful intercourse?  Contact the experts in vaginal healthcare at Fowler GYN International, Paradise Valley, AZ, for a consultation. 

You can reach them at www.fowlergyninternational.com/contact-us, or by calling (480) 420-4001.