I was diagnosed with Vulvodynia in 2002. Fortunately, it only took the third doctor I saw to make the diagnosis. The first few years were nearly unbearable and there were times when I questioned whether I could continue to live with the pain. The worst part was not knowing why this condition existed and accepting the fact that there was not a cure.
I had to give up wearing pants, shorts, and even stockings. Even certain types of panties would trigger an episode. My sex life with my husband became a place of disappointment and anger. Any action that caused arousal would trigger the pain! There were many times when I was intimate with my husband because I did not want to give up that part of our life. I would suffer for days afterward and my husband would feel awful.
Nine years later and every non-invasive "cure" explored, my pain is manageable most days. I am in the process of identifying and eliminating possible trigger foods as well as reducing the amount of yeast that I ingest.
I also have fibromyalgia which can be co-morbid with vulvodynia. In the years since I was diagnosed, there have been some amazing breakthroughs but there is no "one size fits all".
If you are reading this, please know that you are not alone and it will get better! Try EVERYTHING to find out if something works for you and find a doctor who is willing to work with you.
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I was diagnosed with Vulvodynia in 2002. Fortunately, it only took the third doctor I saw to make the diagnosis. The first few years were nearly unbearable and there were times when I questioned whether I could continue to live with the pain. The worst part was not knowing why this condition existed and accepting the fact that there was not a cure.
I had to give up wearing pants, shorts, and even stockings. Even certain types of panties would trigger an episode. My sex life with my husband became a place of disappointment and anger. Any action that caused arousal would trigger the pain! There were many times when I was intimate with my husband because I did not want to give up that part of our life. I would suffer for days afterward and my husband would feel awful.
Nine years later and every non-invasive "cure" explored, my pain is manageable most days. I am in the process of identifying and eliminating possible trigger foods as well as reducing the amount of yeast that I ingest.
I also have fibromyalgia which can be co-morbid with vulvodynia. In the years since I was diagnosed, there have been some amazing breakthroughs but there is no "one size fits all".
If you are reading this, please know that you are not alone and it will get better! Try EVERYTHING to find out if something works for you and find a doctor who is willing to work with you.
May all beings be happy!
April 19, 2011 - 2:31pmThis Comment
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