It's very encouraging reading everyone's posts here, although we are all unfortunate enough to be experiencing this discomfort, I am now more aware that many woman suffer from vulval pain and are going through similar difficulties. It makes me feel less alone and I sympathize with all women it affects.
I am 22 years old and have been suffering with pain during intercourse from the age of 16. I have never been able to achieve full penetrative sex as it has always been much too painful, even just to touch. For years I thought it was psychological and decided the pain I experienced was occurring because my muscles were tensing every time any form of penetration would occur, and most of the time I could not achieve this.
I have visited doctors on many occasions, just to be told that I should keep pursuing, which made me feel as though I had wasted their time. Relationships have fallen apart because of the matter - it is very disheartening and often used to make me feel useless and very insecure; I would become extremely low for weeks at a time. Last year I was in a steady relationship and found it difficult to have full penetrative sex. My partner was very understanding and encouraged me to see a specialist for more advice. I was referred to a Gynaecologist who examined me by lightly touching the vestibule area with a cotton wool bud. It was sore and gave me a burning sensation each time the cotton wool bud was applied.
I was told straight away that I had Vestibulodynia, and was given advice and a few treatments. I was given Oilatum gel to cleanse, and Epiderm to strengthen the skin. The Epiderm did not agree with me, so I was told to use E45 cream. These are basically to help care for the skin, as the skin is usually very weak and red. I was also given Lidocaine to numb the area, and to use it half an hour before intercourse. I tried with my partner, however I still experienced a vast amount of pain. I have also been trying Dilators and am able to fully insert the second size, with a tolerable amount of pain, but I have to use KY jelly to ease insertion. I have to be careful what I use as I am prone to getting thrush, but I have found these treatments have given me no problems thus far. My doctor also advised me to apply a small amount of Lidocaine to the area every night, even if I am not intending to use the dilators.
Anyway that is my story. I wish all of you well and hope that some of this information has helped too, as by reading the posts above I have learned some useful advice and for that I am very grateful.
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Hi everyone.
It's very encouraging reading everyone's posts here, although we are all unfortunate enough to be experiencing this discomfort, I am now more aware that many woman suffer from vulval pain and are going through similar difficulties. It makes me feel less alone and I sympathize with all women it affects.
I am 22 years old and have been suffering with pain during intercourse from the age of 16. I have never been able to achieve full penetrative sex as it has always been much too painful, even just to touch. For years I thought it was psychological and decided the pain I experienced was occurring because my muscles were tensing every time any form of penetration would occur, and most of the time I could not achieve this.
I have visited doctors on many occasions, just to be told that I should keep pursuing, which made me feel as though I had wasted their time. Relationships have fallen apart because of the matter - it is very disheartening and often used to make me feel useless and very insecure; I would become extremely low for weeks at a time. Last year I was in a steady relationship and found it difficult to have full penetrative sex. My partner was very understanding and encouraged me to see a specialist for more advice. I was referred to a Gynaecologist who examined me by lightly touching the vestibule area with a cotton wool bud. It was sore and gave me a burning sensation each time the cotton wool bud was applied.
I was told straight away that I had Vestibulodynia, and was given advice and a few treatments. I was given Oilatum gel to cleanse, and Epiderm to strengthen the skin. The Epiderm did not agree with me, so I was told to use E45 cream. These are basically to help care for the skin, as the skin is usually very weak and red. I was also given Lidocaine to numb the area, and to use it half an hour before intercourse. I tried with my partner, however I still experienced a vast amount of pain. I have also been trying Dilators and am able to fully insert the second size, with a tolerable amount of pain, but I have to use KY jelly to ease insertion. I have to be careful what I use as I am prone to getting thrush, but I have found these treatments have given me no problems thus far. My doctor also advised me to apply a small amount of Lidocaine to the area every night, even if I am not intending to use the dilators.
Anyway that is my story. I wish all of you well and hope that some of this information has helped too, as by reading the posts above I have learned some useful advice and for that I am very grateful.
April 11, 2010 - 12:10pmThis Comment
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