Dr. Pukall, is the vulvodynia pain I’m having all in my head? Caroline F. Pukall, Ph.D., CPsych is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
For more information on Dr. Caroline Pukall visit Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
What is Vulvodynia?
Vulvodynia is defined as “vulvar discomfort, most often described as burning pain, occurring in the absence of relevant visible findings or a specific, clinically identifiable, neurologic disorder.” Vulvodynia affects an estimated 16% of women in the general population. There are two major types of vulvodynia that are based on pain location. The first is localized vulvodynia, in which pain is restricted to a portion of the vulva, such as the vestibule, as in vulvar vestibulitis syndrome (VVS). The second is generalized vulvodynia (GVD), in which the pain is more diffuse, involving the whole vulva.
Vulvodynia is MORE than psychology!
I've had vulvodynia since 1987. There is a lot of information missing in this short little podcast. The psychological component is only a very small part of the entire picture. I'm happy that Dr. Pukall recognizes that the earlier idea assuming the condition is invalid and merely psychosomatic is completely erroneous (studies have already shown that quite clearly).
But there are many other pieces to the puzzle for this multifaceted condition. There are dietary considerations, connections to hormones and allergies, connective tissue restabilization, problems with certain acids in foods and supplements/medications, sometimes infection plays a part in exacerbating the pain, and then there's the pelvic floor muscle tension and biofeedback component for many women.
I agree that it is important to point out that what happens with the pain and the psychology are actually reversed from what many doctors used to believe: the stress and limitations from the condition itself are what prompt psychological distress--not the other way around! It is both unfortunate and distressing that so many women have had to endure doctor after doctor basically writing them off as a "basketcase." I hope that doesn't happen very often these days (if at all).
There are many websites dealing with this perplexing and frustrating condition. Patients can look up Dr. Howard Glazer's site, the Vulvar Pain Foundation, and the National Vulvodynia Association, just for starters.
I'm grateful this site has posted some information about vulvodynia. Every little bit helps. Getting the word out and enabling sufferers to find help and reliable answers sooner than later is something I hope we all strive toward!
Sincerely,
Gail R.
Posted: Sat., September 27, 2008, 09:02 pm
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