





SEXUAL abuse usually has varying effects on victims and one such spin-off is vulvodynia, a condition which results in chronic pain that diminishes a woman's ability to experience a satisfying sex life.







The severity of the pain varies and usually affects the vulva, which is inclusive of the labia, clitoris and vaginal opening. The pain may be constant or occur once, and can be accompanied by other symptoms such as burning, itching, aching, soreness and throbbing.







"It usually occurs in women who are inexperienced, or who have had chronic inflammation, scarring and surgery to the outer vagina. It also happens with patients who have had psychological abuse in the past as well, and that's why anti-depressants are offered to help those patients," explained obstetrician/gynaecologist Dr Tenaj Lewis.







A woman can start experiencing vulvodynia from as early as the teenage years owing to the sensitivity of the nerve fibres around the vulva. The pain can be unprovoked, meaning it occurs without any touch of the area or it might be provoked with even the slightest touch. The precise cause of vulvodynia is not known, but researchers believe it could be as a result of a number of factors including muscle spasms, hormonal changes, nerve injury or irritation, frequent antibiotic use, a history of sexual abuse and genetics.







Even simple activities such as sitting for a long time or wearing panties can exacerbate the pain. So, too, can the insertion of tampons, sexual intercourse, wearing tight pants, or getting a routine examination at the gynaecologist.







"Patients who have had a lot of yeast infections do complain about vulvodynia," said Dr Lewis. However, she pointed out, "You have patients who will have acute yeast infections and you treat it and they say they are fine for about five days, six days and then they are perfectly fine."



Vulvodynia must not be confused with vaginismus which is a condition that results in the involuntary tightening of the vagina during an attempt to engage in sexual intercourse. This condition is also accompanied by pain as well, however, this pain is halted once attempts at sexual intercourse cease.







"Vaginimus is more psychological. You would put vaginismus as probably one of the causes to rule out for vulvodynia, because with vulvodynia, there is usually some amount of inflammation and there are usually issues going on with the outer entrance of the vagina." Dr Lewis said.







"It usually is a result of chronic inflammation and scarring or surgery and scarring. Treatment is usually geared at reducing pain. There is no cure for it, but it certainly can be treated. Sometimes you do have to re-operate on the patient and it would reduce the scar tissue and repair them, but it's more treatment than cure," the OB/GYN pointed out.







Anti-depressants are among those treatments offered by doctors to counter vulvodynia because they also alter the way the nerve fibres transmit pain sensations. Women can also try and minimise the pain and discomfort associated with the condition by using natural cleansers, applying cool ice or gels to the outer part of the vagina, sitting on a cushion as opposed to hard surfaces, and wearing 100 per cent cotton underwear during the day. Although Dr Lewis noted that interventions such as these are "more of a treatment than anything in that it will decrease the amount of pain that is experienced".

























