Essential Vulvodynia - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Definition:

Essential Vulvodynia is a chronic, sensation of burning and irritation of the vulva. Vulvodynia is a medical term that means pain in the vulva, the female external genitalia including the labia, clitoris, and entrance to the vagina. It occurs primarily in postmenopausal women.

It is characterised by the development of bumps or blisters on the hands and fingers that can be red and inflamed. The painful sensation which may extend to the perineum , thigh or buttock and is often associated with discomfort in the urethra and rectum.

This illness is not contagious or life-threatening aliment. It is often multifactorial and an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment is essential although this can be very difficult.

Causes of Essential Vulvodynia:

The exact cause of Vulvodynia is not clear.

The important causes of essential vulvodynia are as:-

• Essential Vulvodynia is most often in middle-aged white women.
  
• The frustration and depression are the main factors of causing essential vulvodynia.

• Chemical irritation of the external genitals by soap in clothing is also the main cause of it.

• Women who have also had frequent antibiotic treatments, laser or surgery treatment in the genital region and women with genital warts also seem to be more susceptible to Vulvodynia.

• The essential vulvodynia may be caused by the use of antibiotic medicines frequently.

• The other possible cause of essential vulvodynia is the nerve irritation or muscle spasms in the pelvic area.

• If a woman has been susceptible to frequent yeast infections or has had her genital region irritated with chemicals can all trigger Vulvodynia.

Symptoms of Essential Vulvodynia:

Thepossible symptoms of essential vulvodynia are as:-

• You may have the feeling of discomfortness in the vulva area.
• When pressure is applied to the opening of the vagina, then you may have the feeling of pain. Pain may make sexual intercourse impossible, and may even be aggravated by walking, sitting, or riding a bike.
• To some extant, depression may occur during essential vulvodynia.
• It is characterized by itching, burning, stinging or stabbing in the area around the opening of the vagina.
• A rash or scaly patches can appear in the area of vulva.
• The affected area gets dry and red.

Treatments of Essential Vulvodynia:

The effective treatments for essential vulvodynia are as:-

• Avoid the use of soaps and other products that may irritate the area.
• The local "numbing" creams can be used before sex to reduce discomfort in some women.
• The anesthetic gels (lidocaine), are also found suitable for the treatment of essential vulvodynia.
• The anticonvulsants drugs are also used as treatment for other chronic pain conditions and may be used for vulvar pain.
• The CO2 laser treatment is rarely used.
• The Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil) can help lessen chronic pain.
• The topical steroid creams can be used for 14 days or less to prevent skin atrophy.
• Topical anesthetic agents (e.g., viscous or liquid xylocaine) can sometimes help with temporary relief.
• The antidepressants drugs (e.g., ElavilT, PamelorT, NorpraminT) has been used to treat many chronic pain conditions.
• The low doses of an antispasmodic drugs are very effective for the healing process.