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Vulvodynia is a general term which means, simply and literally, "pain in the vulva." It is not the name of a disease, but
a symptom, just like "headache." The term vulvodynia is usually used to describe burning or stabbing pain that is felt
more diffusely throughout the vulva. Many women have both vulvodynia and vulvar vestibulitis. In both cases, the skin
usually feels extremely dry, and tears easily, leaving tiny and painful "fissures." Both cases may also involve "referred
pain", in which the pain feels as though it travels from the vulva to the lower body. Many women have complaints of pain
with sexual intercourse, heaviness or pressure in the pelvic area, pain in the low back, tail bone, rectum, vagina, or
abdomen.
Pelvic pain can be an enormously debilitating condition. It comes in many forms and degrees of severity. It is often
labeled with a very general diagnosis because after undergoing countless tests and procedures no one can put their finger
on exactly what is causing the pain. It is a frustrating condition that sometimes leads to significant depression with
the person suffering feeling like no one understands, or worse that it is all in her head. It is not “all in your head”,
and we at Ability Physical Therapy are here to help. Physical therapy can help to decrease many types of pelvic pain. |
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