Pudendal Neuralgia - Vulvodynia

Vulvodynia is the medical term for pain the in the vulva area of a women's body. The term is generally reserved for chronic pain in the vulva with no known cause.

What is going on in the body?

The vulva is a general term for the external part of a woman's genitals. The vulva includes the area of skin directly above the vagina, the clitoris, the inner and outer labia or lips of the vagina, the opening to the vagina, and the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. Pain in the vulva can be due to many known conditions. These include infection, injury, and allergic reactions to medications, soaps, or feminine products. If no cause can be found, the condition is called vulvodynia.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

This condition is usually diagnosed when no cause for a woman's pain can be found. Though different theories exist as to why this condition occurs, the exact cause is unknown. This condition occurs most often in middle-aged white women.

The main risks of this condition are frustration and depression. True vulvodynia does not result in any physical health risks and is not related to cancer.

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?

Symptoms of this condition include:

How is the condition diagnosed?

Before a diagnosis of this condition can be made, treatable causes of pain in the vulva must be ruled out. A history and physical exam are first done. Several steps may be involved to rule out other conditions. The healthcare provider may:

If these tests and procedures do not reveal a cause for the pain, vulvodynia is generally diagnosed.

What can be done to prevent the condition?

There are no ways known to effectively prevent this condition.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

There are no long-term physical effects from this condition. Affected women may become frustrated or depressed, however, and their relationships may suffer.

What are the risks to others?

There is no risk to others as this is not a contagious condition.

What are the treatments for the condition?

There is no known cure for this condition. Many different types of treatment may be tried. Different women respond to different treatments, and some women do not respond at all. Common treatments include:

Treatment must be tailored to each woman. Many women get better eventually, even without treatment.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

All medications have possible side effects. These include allergic reactions, stomach upset, and others. Specific side effects depend on the drugs used. Surgery carries a risk of bleeding, infection, and reaction to any pain medicines used.

What happens after treatment for the condition?

No treatment is guaranteed to be effective. Many women go through many treatments before they find one that works for them. The course of the condition is unpredictable. Some women have symptoms that come and go, whether treatment is used or not.

How is the condition monitored?

Women generally monitor their symptoms at home. They should report any changes to their healthcare providers.

Author:Gail Hendrickson, RN, BS
Date Written:
Editor:Smith, Elizabeth, BA
Edit Date:06/20/00
Reviewer:Melissa Sanders, PharmD
Date Reviewed:06/01/01

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