Dec 20 2008
Women’s Health issues in Chronic Pain
Have you heard of vulvodynia? Not too many are willing to talk about it. I’m blessed not to have the issue (I’ve plenty of my own issues, thanks) but I would love to throw it out there for those of you who may have it. This is categorized as pain around the vulva area. This is really complex and deserves discussion. As a woman who is cursed with a condition that affects sex and sexual functions herself, I can empathize with those that have this affliction. If you have it, how do you deal with it?? I’m curious to hearing any patient stories on this. Please comment if you or someone you know has this, or add to the patient stories in the vulvodynia link above.
According to the ACOG (American college of Obstetrics) :
“Women with vulvodynia may have some of these feelings around vulva:
- Burning
- Stinging
- Rawness
- Itching
- Aching
- Soreness
- Throbbing
- Swelling “
So if you have any of the above symptoms, please get more information on this chronic pain condition that affects women. We need to arm ourselves with the knowledge that pain is a symbol that something is wrong, and that “hurting just to be hurting” is not an option. Arm yourself with knowledge.
I have been living with vulvodynia the last 3 years and it has been hell. Mine started after being prescribed a yeast infection cream which I think triggered an allergic reaction. I am much better from when I first got it but I still have pain everyday. I live in Canada and have been unable to find a doctor who can help me. I am looking to go to the US and have more hope that someone can help me there. I quit my job last year because sitting is painful. I no longer have intercourse with my husband either and that has been a strain on our marriage. Overall, I’m glad to be at home now but its hard financially. I am now 30 years old and married the last 9 years and I have two daughters age 10 and 4. One thing that has helped me is physiotherapy and I highly highly recommend it to see someone who specializes in the pelvic floor. Its a very isolating and lonely condition and not one that you can easily talk about without making people uncomfortable. I pray that I can someday recover and have my life back.