Vaginal depression, also known as vulvodynia, can be very debilitating for people who suffer from it. The NHS has given a precise definition to better detect the disease, which remains unknown to health professionals.
- Vulvodynia, or vaginal depression, is an increasingly common syndrome but little known among health professionals.
- Vaginal depression manifests itself as an intense burning or tingling sensation in the vulva.
- There are treatments that can treat vulvodynia; you must consult a general practitioner and a gynecologist.
More and more women are suffering from vaginal depression, a disease that remains largely unknown to gynecologists. In medical terms, this condition is called vulvodynia. “Vulvodynia is persistent and unexplained pain in the vulva (the skin around the entrance to the vagina, editor’s note)”describes the NHS.
What are the symptoms of vaginal depression?
More specifically, vulvodynia manifests itself as a very painful burning or tingling sensation at the entrance to the vagina, despite the absence of external signs of infection or skin disease. The pain is exacerbated by even the slightest touch, such as during sex, using a tampon, or simply sitting. It can be felt all the way to the buttocks and inner thighs.
This chronic pain can impact libido and social relationships, creating a feeling of isolation. In some cases, they can lead to depression. If these symptoms occur, a general practitioner and a gynecologist should be consulted. The NHS said: “Simply being diagnosed can help relieve the pain of women who felt like they couldn’t be helped for years due to a lack of visible symptoms.”
“The exact cause of this condition is unknown, but the problem is thought to be in the nerves that innervate the vulva.”said Dr Vanessa McKay, spokesperson for the Royal college of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Which women are affected?
All women can be affected by vulvodynia, regardless of their health or age. Little girls or the elderly can also be affected. In the United States, studies have shown that one in four women will experience vaginal depression at least once in their life.
Vulvodynia: how to treat yourself?
To treat vulvodynia, doctors sometimes prescribe antidepressants (amitriptyline and nortriptyline) to relieve neuralgia, hence the name “vaginal depression.” Anti-epileptic drugs (gabapentin and pregabalin) can also provide relief, as traditional painkillers such as paracetamol are ineffective. Injections of local anesthetics and steroids are also possible and, in rare cases, surgical removal of part of the vulva is advised.
In everyday life, the patient can also take certain precautions: try to reduce daily stress, follow physiotherapy, wear cotton underwear, avoid perfumed hygiene products such as feminine wipes, baths foaming agents and soaps, protect yourself from chlorine, avoid touching your vulva, choose non-painful sexual positions or interrupt your sex life while waiting for the treatment to take effect, and if the pain occurs while sitting, use a cushion in the shape of a buoy. Applying cold gel packs to the vulva, using a lidocaine numbing gel, and using vaginal lubricants can also soothe the area and help moisturize the vulva if it feels dry.