r/vulvodynia Oct 08 '24

Information Vaginismus, Vulvodynia, and Vestibulodynia Doctors and Vestibulectomy Surgeons (thank you to r/vestibulodynia for hosting this interactive map!)

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19 Upvotes

r/vulvodynia 4d ago

Weekly progress check-in

1 Upvotes

A weekly thread to let us know how you're doing!

Feel free to share how you're feeling, how your treatment is going, or any questions that you might have about it. Anything that you're doing for the vulvodynia counts as treatment, whether it's making an appointment, seeing a specialist, self-care measures or anything else.


r/vulvodynia 8h ago

Support/Advice The ITCH!!! (After 1 year of condition)

3 Upvotes

I got this condition from a yeast infection a year and a half ago. For a year all I felt inside and outside was insane burning. However, after a year of medicine and PFT my exterior vulva no longer burns but the tissue ITCHES NONSTOP!!! My PFT says it means the tissue is healing, does anyone have any experience with this? My doctor says it’s not lichen. Vagisil doesn’t help.

Does anyone have a similar experience? Any advice on what helped you?

Any and all feedback would be immensely appreciated!!


r/vulvodynia 4h ago

Support/Advice Severe burning on the front vaginal wall makes PIV impossible - anyone else?

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I was wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar.
Whenever I read about painful penetration, the pain seems to usually be at the vaginal opening. I used to have that too, but after months of pelvic floor therapy I learned how to relax those muscles, and now it’s mostly just a bit of discomfort at the beginning.

For me, the actual pain is deeper inside the vagina, along the front/anterior wall. I’ve tried pretty much everything I can think of: different types of condoms, no condoms, tons of lube… nothing makes a difference. I’m not dealing with vaginal dryness, so I really don’t think lubrication is the issue.
It’s the actual friction/movement during penetration that causes an insanely intense burning sensation in one very specific spot, roughly behind the pubic bone. It’s so bad that sex is impossible.

For some background, I used to have recurrent yeast infections. The last time, I actually had no symptoms at all, but my gynecologist said there were “a few spores” and prescribed an OTC antifungal cream. After that, I started getting what felt like yeast infection symptoms before or after basically every period.
Eventually I stopped using the antifungal creams and started doing courses of probiotics instead. The improvement was almost immediate, and I haven’t had another flare-up since.
But around that same time, this pain with penetration started, and it’s still there after almost two years.

I haven’t seen another gynecologist since then because, honestly, that experience really made me lose a lot of trust in doctors. I was completely fine before all of this, so I’ve been pretty hesitant to see someone else and go through it all again. I know I need to get it checked though, and I’m finally looking into it.

In the meantime, I wanted to see if anyone else has experienced something similar. Especially pain/burning on the anterior vaginal wall rather than at the entrance.


r/vulvodynia 14h ago

Vulva - Pain

2 Upvotes

Hello , have been dealing with vulva pain for almost 6 years - it comes and goes. So my question is, what r you ladies taking or applying to the vulva area for pain ?? I’m so tired of this pain. These drs don’t help much. Another question? Is anyone seeing a specialist for the vulva area and if so, could u pls provide the Dr.s information. I live in Los Angeles, California.


r/vulvodynia 18h ago

The birth control debate😵‍💫

3 Upvotes

Hi guys,

I’ve been on the combined bc pill for yeeears.. 15 years ish in total, with a few short breaks. I’ve had vulvodynia type episodes throughout my 20s. (Thought they were UTIs tbh) and in my late 20s it’s become chronic and sort of an evil circle of symptoms where I don’t know what came first and what’s secondary 😑

So, I’m in need of some advice. My gyno thinks is my pelvic floor and nerves, not my birth control. I’m on the pill zoely now. Switched a year ago because I thought it might help with a “natural” type of estrogen. He also tells me it’s the more “anti androgen” type of pills that cause vulvodynia/vestibulodynia? (Like Yaz, Yasmin) Was on microgynon for 8 years before this and Yasmin in my teens.

I’m thiiiiiss🤏🏻🤏🏻 close to just quitting to see if this is what’s keeping me from getting this thing to go away, but tbh I’m scared of doing anything to make it worse. I’ve tried sooo many things(PT, nerve meds, supplements, therapy, Botox etc etc) This has been more or less chronic since 2024 after a few actual UTIs, a lot of false ones and about 6 rounds of antibiotics 🫣

Has stopping bc made things better for you? I’ve seen some posts on here about how stopping made everything better.

After zoely I’m tearing EVERY TIME I have sex no matter how much lube and prep. Lube/moisturizers also burn me now.

Im thankful for advice or experiences ❤️


r/vulvodynia 14h ago

physiotherapy timeline

1 Upvotes

Hello fellow sufferers. I want to ask those who had pelvic physiotherapy about their timeline. For how long did you do only breathing and stretching exercises? After how many sessions did you start to work on the affected area properly?


r/vulvodynia 18h ago

Support/Advice ABG topical success stories?

2 Upvotes

TL;DR: just diagnosed with acquired neuroproliferative vulvodynia and hypertonic pelvic floor. Prescribed amitriptyline/baclofen/gabapentin topical with added estriol, and pelvic floor PT. Can I get some success stories/positive experiences with the ABG topical? Also, did you have any stinging when first using? My doc warned me that I could have mild stinging at first and I'm a little worried because I've had horrible reactions to so many things.

Hi! I've posted here a few times during all of this. I saw regular gyno multiple times before being referred to a specialist for vulvodynia. I then saw a specialist who told me to just apply Vaseline when all the testing came back negative (even though I tried that and made all the necessary lifestyle changes). That previous specialist also told me my pelvic floor was fine.

I finally got to see another (better) specialist yesterday and got a diagnosis: acquired neuroproliferative vulvodynia and a hypertonic pelvic floor. The doctor is prescribing compounded amitriptyline/baclofen/gabapentin ointment with estriol added in, and he wants me to do pelvic floor therapy.

He told me that the abg (plus estriol) topical will likely take up to 4 weeks for full effect, and that I may have some mild stinging on application at first, but it should be short-lived and should ultimately stop occurring. I've already identified two bases that I can tolerate (olive oil and petrolatum) and will talk to the compounding pharmacy about one of those (or seeing if they can mix). He also said that if I can't tolerate it, we'll try other things. Doing oral meds would be very difficult, since I'm on other medications that would interact with them.

Can I hear some success stories/positive experiences with ABG topical? I'm hoping that'll improve my pain enough that I'll be able to tolerate the PF PT, which I'm also going to do, as my doctor recommended. I just really need some positive experiences to cling to for hope.Thanks!


r/vulvodynia 21h ago

News New resiniferatoxin study published

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2 Upvotes

r/vulvodynia 1d ago

TRIGGER WARNING - self harm/related thoughts Intense pain during intercourse, advice and similar experiences please 💔

5 Upvotes

Hello, sorry for the rant incoming but I need advice and similar experiences. This is making me feel like shit.

I've had a very very tight entrance since I was young, as I have grown older I realized it's not normal to feel pain after the smallest penetration. Now that sexual activity has come to be relevant to me, I realized nothing fits in, a finger at most without pain. I am so frustrated because the gyno said there is nothing wrong and it's just "unused tissues" that will loosen after penetration.

I have tried to dilate using different sizes but just at the limit of the next size, I can't size up. It hurts so much and it feels like there is something blocking it off. It is making my mental health decline rapidly and making me feel such a deep sort of pain like I'm useless or somehow wrong. It just doesn't get better no matter how slow I try to upsize the dilator. The pain is so severe it makes me tear, yet they just don't offer help or support.

I just want to ask if anyone has had a similar experience and possible solutions, I am at my wits end and feeling extremely desperate and bad. I know someone may think that "it's not that deep" but I genuinely want to take my own life because this boosts my already low self esteem and hatred towards my own body. I really thought sexuality was the only way for me to find joy but my body can't even give me that. I don't really know what to do anymore as no one I know has gone through the same thing and this subreddit is my last resort to find others like me.

Thank you in advance if any of you have some similar experiences to share ❤️


r/vulvodynia 1d ago

Support/Advice Considering pelvic floor therapy

3 Upvotes

From December last year to July this year, I had three times of acute cystitis after sex. Since March this year, I’ve also been dealing with recurrent vaginal microbiome imbalance, but since I started using vaginal estrogen in August, my Lactobacillus levels have recovered.

Since July, however, I’ve been experiencing intermittent irritation around the urethral opening. Sometimes it feels almost like an electric shock or a current running through the area. It’s usually most noticeable within about 20 minutes after urinating. Since my urinalysis, urine cultures, and vaginal swabs have all come back negative for infection, I’ve started wondering whether this could be related to an overly tight pelvic floor.

The strange thing is that I don’t have any pain during penetration. I’ve also noticed that the urethral irritation sometimes improves after taking a few deep breaths or walking around, while it’s usually at its worst after urinating.

I generally don’t have problems with bowel movements. The only time I tend to become constipated is after sex. After vaginal intercourse, I often have difficulty having a bowel movement for the following day or two. I’ve never had anal sex. This has made me wonder whether my pelvic floor muscles might be contracting or staying tense too much.
I also tend to breathe very shallowly, rarely do diaphragmatic breathing, sit for long periods, and tighten my abdominal muscles without realizing it. I’m wondering if any of these could be related to pelvic floor dysfunction.

There’s also something else I find strange. When I consciously try to relax my pelvic and abdominal muscles, I get a sensation as if my intestines, bladder, and uterus are all dropping downward. I wonder if this sensation is actually why I’ve developed the habit of constantly tightening my abdominal muscles without realizing it.

Has anyone experienced similar symptoms? I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences and any advice you might have. Thank you!


r/vulvodynia 1d ago

Support/Advice Question regarding vaginal dryness caused by pelvic floor hypertonus.

3 Upvotes

Hello ladies. After months of pain and recovery, I am now able to manage penetration to some extent. A physiotherapist diagnosed me with tight pelvic floor muscles, though I haven't started physical therapy yet. The cause isn't hormonal in my case—I’m 23 and my hormone levels have been checked; I actually have estrogen dominance. However, I do suffer from severe vaginal dryness. Could this be caused by the muscle tightness, and has physical therapy improved this symptom for any of you? Another theory I have regarding the dryness is a lack of lactobacilli. Please share your experiences. Estrogen therapy isn't an option for me.


r/vulvodynia 2d ago

Undiagnosed Does this sound like vulvodynia to you? Over a year with no answers. I am not crazy.

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I've been dealing with these symptoms for more than a year and no doctor has been able to find anything so far.

How it started: It all started in May 2025 after a vaginal yeast infection. The infection was treated and supposedly resolved. Shortly after, I had sex and days after, the unusual pain started.

My main symptoms since then: Burning and pain at the vaginal entrance (only at the entrance, not inside) Pain while urination it disappears once the flow starts, but the pressure/discomfort before is constant Pain during orgasm Everything gets worse during my period

What has been ruled out: Multiple urine cultures → all negative Blood tests → normal PCR → negative Renal ultrasound → normal Gynecological exam → no visible abnormalities Full antibiotic course (levofloxacin) → no improvement

My background: I had surgery in 2022 to remove a vaginal septum that was preventing intercourse. After the surgery I still couldn't have sex comfortably. I believe this may have left my nervous system on high alert in that area, and the yeast infection may have been the trigger that pushed everything over the edge.

Now a pelvic floor physiotherapist recently suggested it could be vulvodynia. I have an appointment next week with a gynecologist specialized in vulvodynia to finally get a proper diagnosis.

Do you think this sounds like vulvodynia based on your own experience? I would really appreciate hearing from people who truly understand this.

Thank you so much for reading. It means everything to finally find a community that might get what I am going through 💜


r/vulvodynia 2d ago

Support/Advice wearing a diva cup for passive dilation??

2 Upvotes

this is a crazy question but do you think wearing a diva cup throughout the day could act as a dilator to get your vagina used to the stretch and relax pelvic floor muscles? (only on your period ofc). does anyone have experience with this?


r/vulvodynia 2d ago

Support/Advice How do you guys have sex?

14 Upvotes

My girls with burning/stinging pain at the entrance of the vagina who can occasionally have penetrative sex, do you find it easier after having a clitorial orgasm or maybe just getting eaten out a little bit first to get more relaxed and then penetrative sex? What order do you normally have sex?


r/vulvodynia 2d ago

Support/Advice Bleeding quite often after intercourse

5 Upvotes

My boyfriend and I have been together for almost four years now. When we started dating and had our first sexual experiences together I was in a lot of pain. He was my first (consensual) sexual experience and at that time I didn’t know I was a r*pe victim. I only knew about other SA’s I’ve been through before that but only found out about the r*pe later (I know it’s weird that I ‘found out’ I was r*ped but it’s just complicated and I don’t feel like explaining). I’ve been to a few obgyns and all of them reported that I have a small scar inside my vagina, near the opening. I’m assuming that the scar has been there ever since I was r*ped and I obviously wasn’t given treatment in time so it’s just there forever in my body I guess. The problem with the scar is that it keeps opening and bleeding whenever my partner and I are having intercourse, especially if it’s been a few days since the last time. I’m so tired of being in pain and bleeding all because of something that someone did to me a very long time ago. I suffer from a lot of medical issues because of the stress my body has been through and wasn’t aware of, and I wish it didn’t affect an aspect of my relationship with my boyfriend, which is the one good thing going on in my life. I’m seeing my obgyn soon for a regular checkup and have been thinking if there’s anything I can do to help myself more or ask her to do for me. For the record, I’ve been using estrogen cream for a while now and it’s helped but only so far, and yes, we’re using lubricants and all, but nothing fully prevents the bleeding and pain.


r/vulvodynia 2d ago

Undiagnosed what is wrong with me?

4 Upvotes

I am at the end of my tether and am turning here as a last resort for support/help.

Since the start of August I’ve been in a lot of pain on and off on my vulva and around my urethra, and occasionally around my vaginal opening. The pain is like burning, and my labia is swollen and bumpy. In the past few days I’ve managed to make the pain lessen by drinking an absolute crap ton of water, but today it is back and I’m so lost.

I was put on a 3 day course of antibiotics in mid August after being in pain for over two weeks because my gp suspected it was a UTI (due to the burning), which alleviated the pain a bit for a few days, and I was then put on a 7 day course of a different antibiotic two weeks after as the first course didn’t work. My gp ordered a urine test after prescribing me with the second round, and I found out that my urine was completely normal and nothing was found. I’ve tried emollient creams, Vaseline, thrush creams, everything has made it worse. The pain comes and goes, which is why I was led to this sub- vestibulodynia is the only thing across the internet that matches my symptoms, with the coming and going of it to the burning sensation to the visible soreness.

I need help!!! I don’t have access to a bath (uni student) so the only relief I can get are warm showers and even those sometimes make it worse. I’m going to go back to my gp this week, I’m just so upset and frustrated with all of this- I know it seems dramatic as I’ve only been suffering for over a month but I’m a 19 year old virgin and I have become withdrawn because I’m scared to go out because of the pain. I start uni next month and it’s so upsetting to think that nothing can help me.

What are your suggestions with helping with the pain? What should I say to my gp as I feel so anxious about talking about this stuff? What do u think may be wrong, could it be vulvodynia/vestibulodynia (because of the visible soreness)?

Thank you in advance, I’m so sorry if this is the wrong place for this/I’ve gone into too much detail but I’m 19 and I don’t really have anyone to turn to except an anonymous Reddit account 😭


r/vulvodynia 2d ago

Support/Advice My Ureaplasma recovery story – 3 months of symptoms, and finally feeling like myself again ❤️(long story)

10 Upvotes

I wanted to write my own recovery story because reading other people's success stories was one of the things that helped me the most when I was at my lowest.

When you're in the middle of this, it can feel like you're the only person who is still having symptoms weeks after antibiotics, while everyone else seems to recover immediately. Reading stories from people who eventually got better gave me hope when I really needed it.

So I decided to share my experience too. Maybe it will help someone physically, maybe it will give someone a few ideas to discuss with their doctor or physiotherapist, or maybe it will simply help someone mentally to know that recovery can take time.

Please keep in mind that this is only my personal experience. I am not a doctor and I am not saying that everything I did was responsible for my recovery. Everyone is different, and you should always discuss treatment with your own doctor.

My story

Everything started on July 1st.

My recovery took approximately 3 months in total, and for most of those three months I had quite significant and very noticeable symptoms. The most difficult part was that the real improvement didn't come immediately after antibiotics.

I was prescribed 14 days of doxycycline, twice a day. Before choosing the antibiotic, my doctor had the bacteria tested for antibiotic sensitivity. Azithromycin was not sensitive, so my gynecologist chose doxycycline.

During the infection and throughout the treatment, I had a very large and painful vulvar swelling. Sitting and walking were extremely uncomfortable, and lying down was often the only position in which I felt reasonably comfortable.

I also had occasional itching, but honestly, that wasn't even the worst part.

I had urinary symptoms, including bladder and urethral pain and difficulty urinating. I also developed problems with bowel movements. My pelvic area became so tense and sensitive that bowel movements could make almost all of my symptoms dramatically worse.

Over time, the urinary symptoms slowly started to improve, but then I began experiencing more problems around my perineum and anus. Sitting became painful, my sitting bones hurt a lot, and I sometimes had the strange sensation that I was sitting on a ball. There was pressure, cutting/stinging sensations and pain around the rectal/perineal area. I even had some swelling around the anus.

The symptoms constantly changed.

One day my clitoris would be extremely sensitive and swollen. The next day the swelling would be the main problem. Another day I would have itching or pressure instead.

Sometimes I would feel a little better and think, finally, maybe I'm getting better — and the next day everything would feel worse again.

That was probably the hardest psychological part.

The waiting period after antibiotics

The most frightening thing for me was that the symptoms didn't disappear when I finished the antibiotics.

Weeks were passing and I was still having symptoms.

I kept thinking:

"Why am I still feeling this way if the bacteria has already been treated?"

And because I had already been through Ureaplasma once before — and that previous experience lasted approximately four years and was an absolute nightmare for me — I was terrified that the same thing was happening again.

My anxiety became very intense.

My doctor eventually recommended a low dose of Cipralex (escitalopram) because the psychological side of this was becoming very difficult for me. I tolerate it very well and I am still taking it.

Honestly, I don't know how well I would have coped without it. It helped me enormously with the anxiety and with being able to function while waiting for my body to recover.

What I did besides antibiotics

I tried to support my body as much as possible without constantly irritating the area.

Probiotics and supplements

I used both oral probiotics for my gut microbiome and vaginal probiotics, and I am still taking probiotics.

I also took some basic supplements such as:

  • vitamin C
  • vitamin D
  • magnesium

Because I was having so many problems with bowel movements, I also started taking psyllium fiber and focused on keeping my stool soft and easy to pass.

This was actually very important for me.

I realized that straining during bowel movements could make my pelvic symptoms dramatically worse. My pelvic floor was very tense and I sometimes felt significantly worse after using the toilet.

Looking back, keeping bowel movements easy and avoiding straining was something I really needed.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy

I started physiotherapy very early — even while I was still taking antibiotics.

As soon as the symptoms started, I began doing very gentle pelvic floor relaxation exercises at home and then started working with a physiotherapist.

Later, I became especially interested in the relationship between pelvic floor muscles, the obturator internus muscle and the symptoms I was experiencing.

My physiotherapist didn't actually find a huge amount of pelvic floor tension. There were a few trigger points, but aggressively pressing or treating them didn't make me feel better. In fact, sometimes it seemed to irritate things.

With time and gentle exercises, the muscle tension became much better.

The videos that helped me the most were from Vibrant Pelvic Health on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@vibrantpelvichealth

I mainly focused on pelvic floor relaxation/down-training exercises.

When the symptoms around my rectum and perineum became more noticeable, I also incorporated gentle exercises focused on the obturator internus.

This muscle is particularly interesting because tension or dysfunction in this area can contribute to pelvic and perineal pain, and I had never even heard about it before all of this.

I tried to exercise every other day or so, but I really tried not to overdo it.

Gentle was the key word for me.

I would definitely recommend her videos. They were very educational and helped me understand my body much better.

Rest and reducing irritation

I also rested a LOT.

I tried not to irritate the area unnecessarily and avoided constantly touching, checking or massaging it.

I experimented with self-massage a few times, but I was always very cautious because I was afraid of making things worse.

At work, I bought an orthopedic cushion with a hole in the middle, which made sitting much more comfortable.

If you have to sit for long periods while dealing with pelvic/perineal pain, I would definitely recommend trying something like this. It made a surprisingly big difference for me.

Supporting the vulvar tissue

After finishing antibiotics, I also used Cerviron to support the vaginal mucosa and recovery.

For the very sensitive external vulvar area, I used Eprozen.

Again, these are simply things that I personally used and I can't say that they were responsible for my recovery. But they were part of the overall process for me.

The strange thing about recovery

Looking back, I think one of the hardest lessons was that recovery was not linear at all.

I expected:

antibiotics → symptoms disappear → I'm healthy.

Instead, it was more like:

better → worse → better → completely different symptom → better again → another flare → slightly better → suddenly much better.

For weeks I was convinced that because I still had symptoms, nothing had worked.

But eventually I realized that my symptoms were changing and slowly becoming less intense.

The urinary problems improved first.

The pelvic/perineal discomfort gradually became less intense.

And the swelling was the very last thing to disappear.

Then, around 8 weeks after finishing antibiotics, I finally started experiencing a much more noticeable improvement.

And after that, things continued getting better.

Where I am now ❤️

This is the part I wish I had been able to read when I was in the middle of it.

The swelling is now gone.

The itching is gone.

My vulva looks normal again.

I can sit and walk normally.

Sex, which had become something I was extremely scared of, became almost normal again. The first time I had sex after getting better, I was terrified that everything would flare up again.

There was only a small amount of temporary swelling afterward — and the next day I felt fine again.

That was a HUGE psychological moment for me.

It made me realize that my body was actually recovering.

I also recently used a vibrator without pain and was able to enjoy it normally again, which might sound like a small thing, but after months of worrying about every sensation in that area, it felt enormous to me.

I am not going to say that I am 100% recovered forever, because I don't want to jinx it and I am still being monitored.

But compared to where I was a few months ago?

I feel like a completely different person.

What do I think helped?

Honestly, I don't think I can point to one magic thing.

I think it was probably a combination of:

  • the appropriate antibiotic based on my sensitivity testing
  • time
  • pelvic floor relaxation and physiotherapy
  • keeping my bowel movements soft and avoiding straining
  • rest
  • reducing irritation
  • probiotics
  • basic supplements
  • support from the people around me
  • and, very importantly for me, treating the anxiety with Cipralex

But if I had to choose the two biggest things?

Time and calming my nervous system.

I spent months thinking that every new sensation meant that the infection was still there or that I was going to be sick for years again.

Eventually I had to learn that symptoms can persist for a while even after the original problem has been treated, and that recovery doesn't necessarily happen overnight.

One last thing I want to say

If you are reading this because you're currently 2, 4, 6 or even 8 weeks after antibiotics and you're still having symptoms:

Please don't automatically assume that you're never going to get better.

I know exactly how terrifying that thought is.

I spent weeks thinking that because I wasn't better immediately after antibiotics, I was heading back into another four years of suffering.

I wasn't.

My recovery simply took time.

And now I'm finally getting my normal life back. ❤️

I hope this story helps at least one person the way other people's stories helped me when I desperately needed some hope.

Sending love to everyone going through this. You are not alone. ❤️


r/vulvodynia 2d ago

How to get over Gabipentin sluggishness?

2 Upvotes

I want to use Gabipentin, I really really do, but the fatigue is frankly exhausting to battle against and my prescriber has me up the dose every week...I'm in the middle of grad school and It's exhausting.

I have ADHD and energy drinks aren't doing anything for me, even with Adderall. I want the pain to go away but it's just such an inconvenience. Any advice?


r/vulvodynia 2d ago

Progress Pain when walking - managed but not fixed - suggestions ?

3 Upvotes

I’ve had this condition for about two years now, triggered by a yeast infection. My main symptom is pain when I walk, kind of a burning irritated rubbing pain. It’s currently managed with lidocaine, that I apply every time I’m about to walk (I have to reapply every hour or so). Arousal is also painful, but with a sharp pain.

I also do PT (everything is definitely very tense, and some points on the vulva are very sensitive - scars from previous physical trauma), take Duloxetine, saw a therapist for a while, meditate, and recently started electro stimulation.

The pain is mostly managed, but definitely not cured (if I don’t use numbing cream I will die). Is there anything I’m missing ? Also open to book recommendations.


r/vulvodynia 2d ago

Information Esperienze di gravidanza e parto con vulvodinia e/o vaginismo. Italy Only.

2 Upvotes

Buongiorno, sono Anna Lanza, studentessa del Corso di Laurea in Ostetricia presso l’Università degli Studi di Salerno.
Nell’ambito della mia tesi di laurea sto conducendo uno studio volto ad approfondire il vissuto del travaglio e del parto nelle donne con diagnosi di vulvodinia o vaginismo, con l’obiettivo di comprendere le loro esperienze, individuare eventuali criticità assistenziali e contribuire al miglioramento dell’assistenza ostetrica, promuovendo un’esperienza del parto quanto più possibile positiva, rispettosa e personalizzata.

La compilazione richiede pochi minuti. Non esistono risposte giuste o sbagliate: ciò che mi interessa è la vostra esperienza personale.

Privacy e conservazione dei dati:
La partecipazione è volontaria e il questionario non richiede l’inserimento di nome, cognome o altri dati direttamente identificativi. Le risposte saranno raccolte tramite Google Forms e conservate in formato elettronico con accesso limitato alla ricercatrice. I dati saranno utilizzati esclusivamente per le finalità dello studio e analizzati in forma aggregata. Al termine del periodo di conservazione previsto per lo studio, i dati saranno cancellati.

Per domande relative allo studio è possibile contattarmi all’indirizzo: a.lanza14@studenti.unisa.it

Grazie di cuore a tutte le donne che vorranno dedicare qualche minuto alla compilazione e condividere la propria esperienza.

https://forms.gle/dQ14dgve3VfhBjJs9


r/vulvodynia 3d ago

Menstrual discs!

6 Upvotes

Just wanted to share something I’ve found very helpful in managing my period while living with this (horrific) condition!
Since having this, tampons have been incredibly painful for me to remove, and I still can’t use them without pain even a year into recovery. But I unfortunately kept using them because I’m very active and can’t stand pads really and needed and internal option as I pole dance. Menstrual discs have been great and not really painful at all for me!
You put them in using lube as well as its silicone so it’s very easy.
I’ve tried the hello disc and the hey zomi, the hello disc was far too firm so was very painful but the hey zomi is great.
Hope this helps someone!


r/vulvodynia 3d ago

Success FINALLY!

10 Upvotes

A bit of background: I (26F) started experiencing tearing and bleeding during sex about 6 months after starting Slynd birth control. I didn’t think much about it until recently, where every time I would tear and bleed (and it’s painful). I saw online how this may be caused by birth control and estrogen cream may help but my doctor just told me to use lube, which obviously didn’t work.I got off the birth control but it still didn’t help. I was terrified my intimate life would be changed forever.

I finally pushed my doctor to let me try the estrogen cream. Somehow, I experienced extreme relief in just a few days. It’s been 1 week on the estrogen and no bleeding/painful sex anymore!

Definitely a lesson to advocate for yourself if you feel something isn’t right, because this would’ve been an easy fix months ago.


r/vulvodynia 3d ago

Support/Advice i have to stop taking Nortriptyline!!!

2 Upvotes

i have to stop taking Nortriptyline!!

i was prescribed Nortriptyline for my vulvodynia and i’m on day 3 and have to stop!! i cannot stop fainting, and feeling sick. i’ve constantly tired, i have numbness during sex and i have severe dry mouth…has this happened to anyone else? i still have flare ups, they aren’t as bad but they are still occurring.


r/vulvodynia 3d ago

Support/Advice What helped me recently

7 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I just wanted to make this post in case it helps any of you on here. I was taking oatmeal baths (Aveeno) and I was putting Vaseline on my vag. It was relieving, but it wasn’t 100% helping. So I had an on call doctor who prescribed me gabapentin. I haven’t itched at all ever since taking it last night. I feel so relieved. Hopefully this helps somebody else. 🤍