Related Conditions
Vulvar pain can be a symptom of a larger problem, whether it is an infection or pelvic floor health condition, and speaking with a pelvic pain specialist will allow patients to receive the proper treatment sooner.
As many as one in six women in the United States may experience pain in their vulva at some point in their lives. It can occur at any age but is most common among young women between the ages of 18 and 25. Speaking to a pelvic pain specialist about your vulvar pain can help you get the proper treatment sooner.
Vulvar pain refers to the pain felt in the vulva. This pain can vary and include feelings of burning, stinging, rawness, tenderness, and other feelings of discomfort and irritation. Women may experience vulvar pain during their period, if taking a new medication, or during intercourse.
Vulvar pain can be a symptom of a larger problem, whether it is an infection or pelvic floor health condition, and speaking with a pelvic pain specialist will allow patients to receive the proper treatment sooner.
Vulvar pain can be caused by a variety of factors ranging from infections to muscle and nerve dysfunction and hormonal problems.
Underlying Gynecological Disorders
Hormonal imbalance
Allergic reactions
Pelvic floor Hypertonia
Vulvodynia
Injury or nerve irritation
Recurring vaginal infection
Once a proper diagnosis has been given, we offer a proprietary office-based procedure to treat the underlying causes of vulvar pain. This treatment consists of a series of pelvic nerve and muscle treatments to directly target the spastic pelvic floor muscles, and treat the irritation ans inflammation around the nerves that innervate the vulva area contributing to the vulvar pain. Depending on the condition causing your pain, other modalities may be needed in addition to our treatment. Since the cause of vulvar pain can be multifactorial, the most effective treatment option is a multimodal approach that targets many different contributing factors.
Experiencing vulvar pain can be difficult, but our team of pelvic pain specialists will listen to you, validate your experiences and symptoms, and partner with you on your rehabilitation journey.
Yes, most underlying causes of vulvar pain can be treated. With our multimodal treatment approach, patients can experience increased pelvic function and decreased pain. At PRM, we are a safe space to talk about your pain and symptoms. Talking to us about your pain will allow us to get you the proper treatment sooner.
Inflammation of the vulva can present as stinging, burning, itching, aching, or rawness.
Some ways to prevent vulvar pain due to infection are using condoms during sexual activity and avoiding yeast infections by not wearing sweaty or wet clothes for long periods of time.
Sometimes, vulvar pain can be the result of a pelvic floor health condition such as a hypertonic pelvic floor. Pelvic pain specialists are the experts in diagnosing and treating conditions that relate to the pelvic floor nerves and muscles.
Because vulvar pain is not normal and may be a symptom of a more severe condition, we recommend booking an appointment with a pelvic pain specialist if you have been experiencing vulvar pain that is not temporary.
First, our providers will ask questions about your medical history and listen to your symptoms to get a full picture of what is going on with you.
Next, an external exam of your hips, abdomen, and posterior sacrum.
Next, your pelvic nerves are evaluated externally with a soft cotton tip.
Next, with your consent, gel is placed on a gloved finger and an internal exam is performed to allow us to evaluate the nerves and muscles within the pelvis.
There is no speculum required as we are evaluating the pelvic floor muscles and nerves, not the organs.
Sometimes patients will need Imaging to help us understand if there is an associated cause of the pelvic nerve and muscle pain and dysfunction found on the exam.
Oftentimes, treatment can be started the same day as there is no downtime. Our patients have been suffering with pelvic pain symptoms for 6+ months. We like to get them on the road to feeling better as soon as we can as the longer the symptoms are present the harder it is for us to resolve them.
Our pelvic pain specialists are experts in recognizing the symptoms of and diagnosing pelvic pain conditions. With The PRM Protocol, we go further than addressing the symptoms on the surface – we treat the underlying causes of pelvic pain.
