Barb's Daily Dose

Vulvar Pain part 3

Last month, Mary Buxton, LCSW and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist wrote on Vulvar pain.  Today, we'll hear from the folks at the National Vulvodynia Association.

Michelle's Story

Michelle, is a 37 year-old woman, who has experienced pain in her external genital area (the vulva) since her very first gynecological exam. Like many women, she didn’t know that exams weren’t supposed to cause discomfort.  After suffering for many years with painful symptoms, Michelle knew something was wrong.  Yet, she had to consult four medical professionals over the course of 10 years before she finally obtained an accurate diagnosis of vulvodynia! Michelle is not alone. 

Vulvar Pain part 2

Guest Blog with Mary Buxton, LCSW

AASECT Certified Sex Therapist 

Mary has generously offered to write a few guest blogs on a subject most of us need help with, but may be reluctant to ask about, sexuality.  Today is the 2nd part in a series on Vulvar Pain.  Read Part 1

How a sex therapist might help

The sex therapist might give cognitive (how you think) and behavioral (what you do) homework assignments to the woman and / or the couple.  These assignments involve one or more of the following approaches to treatment in a step by step sequence of home practice.

Cognitive therapy is changing how you think which in turn changes how you feel.  Examples:

1. Teach the woman and her partner about multidimensional view of pain and their type of vulvo-vaginal pain
2. Changing the way you think to reduce pain catastrophizing and avoidance
3. Developing coping self statements to manage the anxiety and pain
4. Sexual fantasies to help distract and relax

Vulvar Pain

Guest Blog with Mary Buxton, LCSW

AASECT Certified Sex Therapist 

Mary has generously offered to write a few guest blogs on a subject most of us need help with, but may be reluctant to ask about, sexuality.  Today is the first part in a series on Vulvar Pain.

Q: What is Vulvar Pain Syndrome?

A: Vulvar Pain syndrome happens in two different ways. Provoked vestibulodynia is a big word that translates to having pain in the vulvar area on touch.  That touch can be from attempted vaginal penetration for intercourse or medical exam, tampon use, tight clothing or other sources of touch.  Somewhere between 12-15% of women in the US suffer from this problem. 

On the other hand, unprovoked vestibulodynia does not require touch for pain to be felt.  These women experience a chronic burning of the vulvar area and comprise 6-7% of the general population.

Q: What is the impact of this problem on a woman’s life?

A: She might experience painful intercourse or the inability to have intercourse due to the tightening of the pc (or pubococogyeal) muscle.  That muscle surrounds the vaginal opening and can clamp shut in response to and anticipation of pain. 

She might develop:

• Anxiety
• Guilt
• Negative feelings toward sexuality