Treatment Vulvodynia

Treatment of Vulvodynia are directed towards providing relief to patients suffering from Vulvodynia (chronic vulvar pain). In case of Vulvodynia every women's symptoms may differ so remember that no single treatment works for every patient of Vulvodynia. Infact a combination of Vulvodynia treatment is used to get relief from vulvar pain.

How to get rid of Vulvodynia by proper treatment

Currently there is no specific cure for vulvodynia. Instead, treatments are provided to aid in symptom relief. These treatments include drug therapies such as tricyclic antidepressants or anticonvulsants, nerve blocks, interferon, biofeedback, diet modification, and topical corticosteroids. The antidepressants are for women who become depressed because the vulvodynia has interfered with their quality and way of life. Interferon is a protein designed to protect against viral infection. Biofeedback is a training program designed to develop the individual's ability to control the involuntary nervous system. Using this technique, the woman may be able to relax the muscles in the pelvic organs that may be having spasms and causing pain.
Treatment of vulvodynia usually requires a multidisciplinary approach that may include:

Psychological therapy / Biofeedback therapy Treatment for Vulvodynia

This therapy can help reduce pain by teaching you how to control specific body responses. The goal of biofeedback is to help you enter a relaxed state in order to decrease pain sensation. To cope with vulvodynia, biofeedback can teach you to relax your pelvic muscles, which can sometimes contract in anticipation of pain and actually cause chronic pain itself.

Treatment of Vulvodynia by using Local anesthetics

Using medications such as lidocaine can provide temporary relief from the pain.

Surgical Treatment for Vulvodynia

Surgery is an option for some women only when other treatments do not produce satisfactory relief. There are two types of surgery available: scalpel and laser. Scalpel surgery involves excising the sensitive areas around the vestibule and then pulling the healthy skin over the excised area. Recovery time for this procedure can take weeks. Laser surgery involves the same procedure but instead of a scalpel, a laser is used. Recovery time for laser surgery can take longer and be more painful than with scalpel surgery.

Another form of effective treatment for Vulvodynia is Sitz baths

In this form of Treatment Bathing the area around your external genitals and buttocks in a saline solution can sometimes help make you feel better, but it also has the potential to aggravate your discomfort.

Other Treatments include -

Pain management therapy
Behaviour modification
Surgery

Symptomatic treatment for Vulvodynia includes the followings -

sitz-baths,
anesthetic gels (lidocaine),
topical steroid creams (for 14 days or less to prevent skin atrophy),
pain medications, or low doses of antidepressant (sometimes given with an antispasmodic) to deactivate the pain pathways.

Some useful tips that can help in the treatment of vulvodynia

These following tips may help you manage the symptoms of vulvodynia -

2. Don't wear tight-fitting clothing or jeans. Don't sit around in a wet swimsuit for a long time.

3. Report any increased discharge and irritation to your doctor so that yeast and bacterial infections can be treated right away.

4. Wear only cotton and hygine innerwears.

How can vulvodynia be prevented? Irritation of the vulva can be managed by avoiding:

Chemicals
- Deodorant - Containing Feminine Hygiene Products (pads/liners/tampons)
- Douching
- Feminine Deodorant Sprays
- Bubble Bath or Bath Oils
- Soap (in the immediate area)
- Shampoo (dripping, or lather running down when rinsed off)
- Dyed and/or Perfumed Toilet Paper
- Wearing New Underpants (Wash prior to wearing for the first time.)
- Contraceptive Suppositories (Foams/Creams)
- Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline©)
Wearing Tight Pants
Wearing Pantyhose
Leaving on Wet Bathing Suits or Underwear
Delaying Consulting a Gynecologist (Get prompt treatment for any increased discharge or other apparent problems.)

Medical Treatment of Vulvodynia

Some antidepressant medicines can help nerve pain and irritation. Other treatments of Vulvodynia may help include interferon injections, laser therapy or surgery.

Medical treatment for Vulvodynia include - Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil) can help lessen chronic pain. This type of antidepressant may work better than some of the other types of antidepressants, such as Prozac or Zoloft, for this condition. Anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine (Tegretol) and gabapentin (Neurontin) also may lessen the pain of vulvodynia. Antihistamines such as hydroxyzine can reduce itching.

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