Vulvar pain can affect different parts of the female genitalia, including the vulvovaginal and paraurethral glands. Vulvodynia and vestibulitis are common causes of vulvar pain, which can be treated with symptom relief methods. Other causes include lichen planus and human papilloma virus. Women experiencing discomfort should seek medical attention to prevent potential complications.
The vulva is the visible part of the female genitalia, including the inner labia; the glans of the clitoris; the hymen; the membranes of the introitus, which surround the vaginal opening; the vestibular glands around this same opening; the paraurethral glands; and the vulvovaginal glands. The paraurethral glands are found on each side of the opening of the urethra, and the vulvovaginal glands are found on either side of the opening of the vagina. Each of these parts of the vulva can be affected by vulvar pain, which comes from a variety of sources and has different treatments for each case.
To diagnose a problem with the vulva, doctors ask if the pain is lateral or central. Lateral pain may refer to types of nerve dysfunction and impair a woman’s ability to sit, while central pain is likely a problem with the vulva itself. Patients should also describe the pain and may use terms such as sandpaper sensation, shooting pain, and burning pain.
One of the most common types of vulvar pain is caused by vulvodynia, a disease in which the patient feels pain in the vestibule, the area surrounding the entrance to the vagina. The pain is worse when inserting anything into the vagina, such as while having sex or wearing tampons. Symptoms of vulvodynia include burning, stinging, rawness, or irritation in the vaginal region and can be caused by a number of factors, including injury to the vulvar nerves, sensitivity to yeast-like candida fungus, an allergic reaction to irritating environmental factors, high levels of oxalate crystals in the urine and muscle spasms around the pelvic organs. Treatment is limited to symptom relief and may include drug therapy, nerve blocks, biofeedback, and dietary adjustments.
Vestibulitis is a type of vulvodynia in which the entrance to the vagina becomes inflamed. Symptoms are similar to those of vulvodynia and vary from case to case, but severe pain can be caused by just a light touch to the region. Some patients even feel pain without any pressure on the vaginal area. To ease the symptoms of vestibulitis, women should wear loose clothing, avoid lubricants, wash clothes with baking soda, avoid wearing a wet bathing suit, and avoid constipation or full bladders to reduce pressure on the vulva.
In addition to vulvodynia, other causes of vulvar pain can include lichen planus, an autoimmune disease in which the patient’s labia start to fade, and human papilloma virus, which causes irritation of the entire genital region and can be cured with laser treatments. Patients experiencing pain in this region should consult a physician experienced in women’s health issues. Problems with the vagina can potentially lead to vulvar cancer if left untreated, so women experiencing any discomfort should see a healthcare professional right away.
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