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.

I'm not sure what the difference is (if any), but have a burning sensation in my chest and throat. What over the counter medicines actually work, and when should I see a doctor?

I'm sorry to tell you, but your daughter has interstitial cystitis. Inter what? By the time we could actually say the two words together - we had discovered that we were in for a loooong haul. Generally considered an older lady's disease - my 19 year old daughter had won the lottery without even buying a ticket. How do you get Interstitial Cystitis (IC) and why do you get it? Questions we posed to our general practitioner and to the urologist we were referred to.