Understanding chronic vulvar pain and why pelvic floor physical therapy is often essential for treatment
Understanding chronic vulvar pain and why pelvic floor physical therapy is often essential for treatment
Vulvodynia is vulvar pain lasting 3 or more months without clear identifiable cause (no infection, skin disorder, or other pathology). ACOG defines it as chronic vulvar discomfort characterized by burning, stinging, irritation, or rawness.
Vulvodynia affects approximately 8-16% of women at some point. It is often underdiagnosed and undertreated, with many women seeing multiple providers before receiving proper diagnosis.
Vulvodynia significantly impacts:
Vulvodynia cause is not fully understood. Proposed mechanisms:
ACOG recommends multidisciplinary approach. Treatment requires patience - often combination of therapies over time. This is educational information only.
Often ESSENTIAL - many women with vulvodynia have hypertonic pelvic floor. High success rates reported.
Note: Take weeks-months for effect. Start low, titrate slowly.
Addresses pain catastrophizing, fear-avoidance, improves sexual function and quality of life. Often combined with other treatments.
Reserved for localized provoked vestibulodynia that has not responded to conservative treatments. Success rates around 60-80% but not first-line.
Learn about hypertonic pelvic floor and pelvic floor physical therapy
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