What Are the Causes of Vulvodynia?

Vulvodynia is pain in the vulvar area without any apparent cause.Chronic vulvodynia is a painful condition characterized by discomfort in the region surrounding the opening of the vagina. This discomfort includes soreness, burning, itching, stinging, rawness, painful intercourse and discomfort when trying to sit. The vulva may appear red or swollen but more often than not it appears normal. Here is a look at the possible causes of vulvodynia and the treatment options that are currently available.

Injury

• One of the chief causes of vulvodynia is injury or past injury to the vaginal area, causing irritation to the nerves surrounding the genital areas. Such nerve damage as this is only one possible cause of vulvodynia, since injury may increase nerve fiber density in the vulva, thus increasing the pain and other sensations.

Past Infections

• Those who suffer from chronic yeast infections may have a genetic predisposition for vulvar infections, and may therefore be more likely to suffer from vulvodynia. A hypersensitivity to Candida or yeast organisms is also thought to play a role in chronic yeast infections that may lead to vulvodynia.

Pelvic Floor Weakness

• Women who have suffered traumatic childbirths or vulvar injuries leading to weakness of the pelvic floor are also prone to vulvodynia. Past traumatic injury to the pelvic floor can cause muscle weakness or spasm as well as a host of other conditions such as sexual dysfunction and loss of bladder control.

What Does Not Cause Vulvodynia

• Vulvodynia is not caused by sexually transmitted diseases or cancer, nor does it cause those conditions. Past sexual history does not play a role in developing vulvodynia, although it should be noted that women who have experienced past trauma from sexual abuse or rape have suffered from the condition, due to nerve damage.

Treatment for Vulvodynia

• Since there is no definite cause at this point, treatment options are focused on relieving the symptoms of vulvodynia rather than curing it. Treatments that have shown some effectiveness with these symptoms include medications such as amitriptyline, desipramine and nortriptyline, which are antidepressants, as well as anticonvulsants like carbamazepine and gabapentin for the treatment of pain; antihistamines for the relief of itching; biofeedback therapy to help patients learn to control their pain; local anesthetics and topical estrogen creams.

Help and Support

• Help and support for those experiencing vulvodynia can be found from the National Vulvodynia Association, which focuses on promoting women's health and improving the lives of vulvodynia sufferers, as well as the Vulval Pain Society, which offers educational information to the public on this devastating condition. Both organizations offer confidential support and can refer patients to qualified physicians.