Vulvodynia is a feminine disorder that is under-recognized and under-researched, and that’s why many women with the condition go misdiagnosed for years. The lack of research has meant that treatment options are often inadequate. As a result, many women with the condition wonder, – ‘How can I treat vulvodynia.’
What Is Vulvodynia?
Vulvodynia is chronic pain in the area around the opening of the vagina that has no identifiable gynecological cause. The pain associated with vulvodynia may be constant or triggered by touch or pressure, and is often described as sharp, aching, throbbing, or searing.
Vulvodynia pain is so excruciating for some women that it affects everyday life, and makes simple activities such as sitting, walking, and exercising difficult. Other symptoms of vulvodynia include burning, stinging, discharge, and itching.
How Can I Treat Vulvodynia?
When treating vulvodynia, the vaginal care experts at Fowler GYN International (FGI) utilize the advanced vaginal fluid analysis (VFA) test. The VFA test provides a quantitative analysis of the vaginal constituents, which is critical, since vulvodynia is caused by an altered vaginal microflora.
The vaginal microflora is populated by ‘good’ bacteria (lactobacillus) and ‘bad’ bacteria. The good bacteria keep the vagina healthy, but a shift in the vaginal milieu can cause bad bacteria to thrive, resulting in an altered vaginal microflora.
The symptoms of vulvodynia occur because of the vaginal response to the altered vaginal microflora. Vulvodynia is therefore treated by restoring balance to the vaginal ecosystem. An individualized treatment protocol is formulated for each patient, to restore normal microflora.
The treatment protocol for vulvodynia takes time. In most cases patients have to wait for at least 4 months to see any improvement, and it can take between 8-12 months to completely resolve vulvodynia symptoms.
Would you like to learn more about treatment for vulvodynia? Contact Fowler GYN International at www.fowlergyninternational.com, or by calling (480) 420-4001. FGI is located in Phoenix, AZ.