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what OTC numbing creams have your readers opined about which work?
Also, does Neem oil prove to be an effective pain reliever?
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Hello maxxkat,
Welcome to the EmpowHER community.
Vulvodynia is a medical term that means "painful vulva". The term can cover a wide variety of vulvar pain syndromes, including various infections and skin disorders.
VVS is an inflammation of the vestibule, or opening to the vagina and the tissues immediately around the vaginal opening. This condition is also sometimes called "vestibular adenitis".The classic description of VVS involves redness of the vulvar vestibule, especially with small red spots; pain with intercourse or tampon insertion and stinging pain when urinating.
Sometimes an infection that will respond to medication is found, such as ureaplasma, candida, or strep. In a lucky few, it clears up on its own after 6 - 12 months. Some women develop vulvar pain as part of the hormonal changes of menopause. This particular problem often responds to estrogen creams or estrogen replacement therapy.
But for many women, the treatment is symptomatic, to try to reduce the pain. A prescription anesthetic, xylocaine (available both as a jelly and a liquid solution), may be helpful if applied directly to the sore areas. Unfortunately, the effects last only for a couple of hours and repeated applications can cause damage to the underlying skin. Xylocaine can very useful for intercourse, however, and also during pelvic examinations and sometimes during tampon changes.
Some physicians are injecting xylocaine directly into the affected area to create a nerve block. The effects of a nerve block can last from a few hours to a couple of days. Unfortunately, the more often you inject a nerve, the less responsive it becomes to the anesthetic.
Topical corticosteroids are often prescribed for vulvar itching, but seem to be of little help in VVS.
Regards,
August 8, 2017 - 2:41pmMaryannn
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