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Fibromyalgia & Vulvar Pain

Fibromyalgia is a complex disorder characterized by extreme fatigue and chronic pain, but patients may also suffer from co-existing conditions. One such condition is pain in the vulva--the tissue surrounding the opening of the vagina.

  1. Significance

    • According to Fibromyalgia-Symptoms.org, up to 65 percent of women with fibromyalgia may suffer from vulvar pain, also called vulvodynia.

    Speculation

    • While research has not determined the exact cause of vulvodynia, the Women's Health Matters website notes that some women link the onset or worsening of vulvar pain with their use of prescription birth control pills.

    Effects

    • Vulvodynia manifests as itching, stinging, burning or throbbing pain, reports Fibromyalgia-Symptoms.org, and may cause the vulvar area to feel raw.

    Time Frame

    • Vulvar pain "may be constant or intermittent," according to the Mayo Clinic. For some women, the pain may flare only during sexual intercourse.

    Treatment

    • Pain from vulvodynia typically is not curable, the Mayo Clinic says, but treatment--such as topical numbing creams, prescription medications and even surgery--can bring some measure of relief.

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