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.

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.

Listen as Dr. Pukall discusses what causes vulvodynia pain. Dr. Caroline Pukall is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

Dr. Caroline F. Pukall, Assistant Professor at Department of Psychology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada explains vulvodynia.

Additional Vulvodynia Resources Provided By the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Online Resources

Office of Research on Women’s Health Science Series Fact Sheet: Vulvodynia

Office of Research on Women’s Health Science Series Fact Sheet: Vulvodynia [In Spanish]

What is vulvodynia?

Vulvodynia is a term used to describe chronic pain or discomfort of the vulva.

Health care providers do not know what causes vulvodynia. It is diagnosed when other causes of vulvar pain, such as infection or skin diseases, are ruled out.

NICHD-funded research estimates that as many as 16 percent of women suffer from chronic vulvar pain at some time in their lives.

What are the symptoms of vulvodynia?

The main symptom of vulvodynia is pain. The type of pain can be different for each woman.

By Alan Mozes
EmpowHer's HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, April 2 (HealthDay News) -- A topical cream appears to be a highly effective treatment for precancerous lesions on the vulva, Dutch researchers report.

Rather than directly targeting the disease itself, the cream works by helping the body's own immune system fight off the human papillomavirus (HPV) -- which is often the root cause of the rare condition. The cream is currently used for precancerous skin lesions and superficial basal cell carcinoma, a highly treatable form of skin cancer.