Vulvodynia is a pain condition of the genitals that affects up to 15% of women. Most describe a burning pain, stinging, rawness, or irritation of the vulva (labia or lips) and/or the opening to the vagina (the vestibule). For some women the pain is present all of the time while others only have pain that is provoked by contact, either intercourse or non sexual contact such as inserting a tampon, sitting, or even the light touch of clothes.

HealthDay News) -- A cell protein routinely used as a diagnostic for prostate cancer appears to also work as a pain medication that is far more effective than morphine but with far fewer side effects, a new report says.

Researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine and the University of Helsinki found that Prostatic Acid Phosphatase, or PAP, was identical to another protein found on pain-sensing neurons that converts the chemical messengers that cause pain into ones that suppress it.

(HealthDay News) -- Severely brain-damaged patients in a "minimally conscious state" may still feel pain and require painkilling treatment, according to European researchers.

A minimally conscious state (MCS) is different than a persistent vegetative state (PVS), which involves wakefulness without awareness of self or surroundings. MCS patients do show some evidence of awareness of self and their surroundings.

The first day I had sex again I cried. But this time it wasn’t because I was in pain. The uncontrollable tears came from what felt like years of my life lost to vulvodynia and now finally having a chance at a pain-free life. I don’t know how I got through my trial with vulvodynia, there were times I really felt like letting go. It was the most horrible period of my life and now all I want to do is to help other women from ever going through the torture I went through to becoming cured.

(HealthDay News) -- The pain caused by osteoarthritis may be as damaging as the disease itself, according to a new study.

According to a University of Rochester study published Monday in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism, the nerve pathways carrying pain signals between the arthritic joints and the spinal cord transfer inflammation to the spine and surrounding cells and back again.

I’m not a religious person, but I literally wakeup every morning thanking God for being Vulvodynia-free. It was the biggest challenge I have ever faced in my life, and I'm not sure how I got through it alive. I know exactly what it’s like to feel like you’re the only one; in fact, it wasn’t until after my cure that I even met someone else with the disease. I also know exactly what it’s like to have so many doctors and people dismiss it, telling you it’s psychological or stress-related, to the point you wonder if you’ve gone crazy yourself.

I can say it - I have vulvodynia. For me that means I experience sex as an intense burning, like scraping a knife over a raw patch of skin or squeezing a watermelon into your nostril. Not fun, to say the least. And it's not just pain with sex. Tampons, jeans, riding a bicycle, and excruciating pap smears leave both me and my doctor in tears.

Pain reportedly affects 76.5 million Americans -- more than heart disease, diabetes and cancer combined and is the No. 1 reason people seek medical care.

Surprisingly, many doctors are not trained in pain management and some barriers exist for those seeking treatment to pain.

One proposal – aimed at knocking down those barriers -- the amended National Pain Care Policy Act of 2008 (HR 2994) has been passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. It will now go to general vote by the full House of Representatives Wednesday, September 24.

You're in pain, and ibuprofen just won't cut it. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, don't agree with your stomach, and you're wary of stronger meds.

Fortunately, you have alternatives — natural ones. From herbs that attack inflammation to techniques that leverage the brain's remarkable healing powers, nature offers many treatments for conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and even muscle strains.

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Many women don't even consider breastfeeding because of lack of support, fear of pain and concerns about being tied down.

Those who embark on the breastfeeding journey may find themselves experiencing pain, being exhausted and concerned that baby is not gaining enough weight.

However, you were designed for breastfeeding success and you can create your breastfeeding experience the way you want it.

Support is an essential ingredient though.

The following Free Resources will set you up for pain-free, success in breastfeeding and also help you to make tweaks along the way.