What You Can Do About Vulvar Pain

If you have had burning, stinging, raw, or irritating pain in your vulva (the area outside the vagina) for at least 6 months, you may have a vulvar pain syndrome. The pain from these syndromes, which are also called vulvodynia, may come and go or may constantly be present; it may be triggered by touch or by trying to have sexual intercourse or insert a tampon. Although vulvar pain is distressing and can interfere with daily activities, it can be treated. Unfortunately, there is not much quality research on vulvar pain, and it's not known how many women have the problem. Many vulvar pain treatments are based on what has worked for small numbers of women, rather than for women from large scientific studies. Some women with vulvar pain feel that friends, partners, and clinicians have brushed off their pain as being all in their head or that they do not understand how much it affects their life. In addition to finding a clinician for treatment, you may find it helpful to seek a support group for women with vulvar pain. What Is the Vulva? The vulva is the area just outside of the vagina. You might want to look at a picture of the vulva with the parts labeled and then look at yourself with a long-handled mirror. On the outside of the vulva are the outer lips covered with hair and skin, called the labia majora. If you spread the labia majora apart, you will see the inner …