If you have been experiencing unexplained vulvar pain for more than 3 months, you may have vulvar vestibulitis. Vulvar vestibulitis or vulvodynia is a vulvovaginal syndromecharacterized by intense pain in the vulva. However, there’s been a lack of quality research on vulvar vestibulitis, so the symptoms are often not recognized.
What are the symptoms of vulvar vestibulitis?
Pain around the opening of the vagina (vulva) is the primary symptom of vulvar vestibulitis. The pain is often consistent and chronic andends up lasting months or years for most women. Vulvodynia pain is often described as stinging, aching, stabbing,or burning, and is generally accompanied by feelings of soreness, rawness, and irritation.
Women with vulvar vestibulitis experience extreme discomfort during intercourse, and even inserting a tampon or sitting for long periods can be painful.
A diagnosis of vulvar vestibulitis is generally made after other possible causes of vulva pain such as infection and skin disease, have been ruled out.
What causes vulvar vestibulitis?
Doctors are not sure what causes vulvar vestibulitis, but possible causes include irritation, and sensitive nerve endings.
Dr. R. Stuart Fowler of GYN international has done extensive research into vulvovaginal issues, and discovered that women with these syndromes usually have an altered vaginal microflora pattern.
An altered vaginal microflora pattern is one that differs from the known patterns of flora, and is typically characterized by a proliferation of the ‘bad’ strain of bacteria in the vagina. The secretions that spring from the altered flora pattern bathe the tissues around the opening of the vagina, resulting is symptoms such as burning, irritation, and itching.
Have you been experiencing symptoms of vulvar vestibulitis? Contact the experts in vaginal care at Fowler GYN International, Paradise Valley, AZ for a consultation.
You can reach them at fowlergyninternational.com, or by calling (480) 420-4001.