SHAREs: Vulvodynia


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Learn More About Vulvodynia

by EmpowHer
Posted: Fri., May 2, 2008, 04:40 pm

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Topics: Sexuality, Vagina Conditions, Vulvodynia, Causes, Diagnosis, Symptoms, Treatments - Traditional, Resource

Vulvodynia

by Krisha McCoy, MS

Definition

Vulvodynia is chronic pain or discomfort in the vulva, which are external female genitalia. The vulva includes the labia, clitoris, and vaginal opening.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.

The following factors are thought to increase the risk of vulvodynia:

* Recurrent yeast infections
* Frequent use of antibiotics
* Irritation to the genitals by soaps or detergents
* Genital rashes

The Pain Down There

by hernews
Posted: Wed., April 30, 2008, 12:34 pm

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Topics: Vulvodynia, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Information Resource Center, Physical well-being, symptoms, vulvadynia, EmpowHer News

Vulvodynia is often described as the pain down there and almost 15 percent of all women experience symptoms. Symptoms include:

* Burning
* Soreness
* Itching
* Stinging
* Rawness
* Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
* Throbbing

If you want to learn more, you can contact the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Information Resource Center at 1-800-370-2943 or visit: http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/ or http://www.nva.org/patient_services/test...

Additional Vulvodynia Resources

by EmpowHer
Posted: Tue., April 29, 2008, 05:17 pm

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Topics: Vagina Conditions, Vulvodynia, Causes, Diagnosis, Feminine Pain, Symptoms, The Pain Down There, Treatments - Traditional, Vulva, Vulvar Pain, Resource

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]

Vulvodynia Awareness Campaign

by EmpowHer
Posted: Tue., April 29, 2008, 04:33 pm

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Topics: Vagina Conditions, Vulvodynia, Diagnosis, Feminine Pain, NIH, Symptoms, The Pain Down There, Treatments - Traditional, Vulvodynia Awareness Campaign, women's health, Resource

Vulvodynia Awareness Campaign

Vulvodynia, also referred to as “the pain down there” or also as “feminine pain,” is chronic discomfort or pain of the vulva, which is the area around the outside of the vagina. Researchers estimate that as many as 18 percent of women will experience symptoms consistent with vulvodynia.

What is Vulvodynia?

by EmpowHer
Posted: Tue., April 29, 2008, 04:10 pm

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Topics: Vagina Conditions, Vulvodynia, Diagnosis, Symptoms, Treatments - Traditional, Vulva, Vulvar Pain, Resource

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.