Maybe you haven't put a name to the symptoms yet, but vulvodynia is a chronic condition of the vagina including pain and potential burning sensations of the vulva. The discomfort is often brought on by physical pressure - riding a bike, sexual intercourse, inserting a tampon, or sitting for long periods.
While a cause for vulvodynia has not yet been determined, some research speculates that some people are born with a higher number of nerve endings around their vagina. Otherwise, the area can become hypersensitive to contact if these nerves are damaged. Often, this "damage" may be caused by chronic thrush, sexual trauma, and childbirth. Tests include looking for chronic inflammation by exaggerated immune responses from conditions such as allergies, chronic infections, and yeast infections. Another angle involves looking into your urination and bowel habits to indicate any excessive contraction or tightness of the pelvic floor muscles.
Medical treatments often include “the avoidance of aggravating activities”, nerve-block injections, surgery, antidepressants, and hormonal or anesthetic medication. These may not be a viable long-term solution and unfortunately may have negative impacts on your mental, social, and physical health.
Can acupuncture help with vulvodynia?
Acupuncture in general works to reduce the hypersensitivity of nerves, reduce pain, balance hormones, reduce the occurrence of thrush, and increase blood flow to the area. Often, I will also focus on any emotional aspects that may be exacerbating the inflammation and pain response. Especially with chronic pain, I commonly see a link between stress, emotions, the nervous systems, and inflammation. Although I will direct treatments to the genital area, no local needling is required. Points used are most often found on the limbs. My point prescriptions are tailored to each individual depending on different triggers, potential causes, lifestyle, and constitution. Treatments may benefit from combining therapies, such as additional counselling and pelvic physiotherapy.
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