Vulvodynia is a term used to describe persistent vulval pain that does not have a clear or immediate cause. Vulvodynia may feel like burning, stinging, rawness, or irritation, and can occur all the time or only with touch or activities such as sitting, exercise, or intimacy. Vulvodynia can be an incredibly distressing condition, affecting not only day to day life but also our most intimate relationships. Unfortunately, many women with vulvodynia have felt dismissed or unheard when seeking help.
What Causes Vulvodynia?
Vulvodynia does not have a single cause. Instead, it can develop for many reasons, and there may be several contributing factors. It may be primary, meaning the pain has been present for as long as a woman can remember, or secondary, where pain begins later in life. Secondary vulvodynia may arise after trauma, childbirth, infections, or irritation of the nerves. For some women, changes in the nervous system or an increase in stress-related sensitisation play an important role in maintaining the pain.
Hormonal factors may also contribute. At times when oestrogen levels are naturally lower such as during breastfeeding, peri-menopause, or post-menopause tissues of the vulva can become more sensitive and less resilient, making pain more likely. Understanding these hormonal influences is an important part of assessment and management.
How Physiotherapy Can Help
Physiotherapists with expertise in women’s health can play a key role in diagnosing and managing vulvodynia. At Secret Women’s Business, our physiotherapists work holistically, always taking the time to explore possible underlying factors that may be contributing to pain. Treatment may include:
- Helping pelvic floor muscles to relax and function optimally.
- Supporting the nerves to move, slide, and glide comfortably.
- Looking at whole-body factors such as movement and breathing.
- Considering hormonal influences and helping women navigate these with the support of their broader healthcare team.
- Addressing the nervous system including understanding how stress or tension may heighten pain.
Where needed, we will also work collaboratively with other specialists, and may refer women to a vulvar dermatologist or gynaecologist, particularly if a dermatological condition or another underlying factors may be contributing to their pain.
Because vulvodynia has many possible contributors, diagnosis can sometimes take time. Our role is to listen carefully, assess thoroughly, and guide women towards the right support and treatment plan.
Our Approach at Secret Women’s Business
Every woman’s experience of vulvodynia is unique. That is why we never take a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Instead, our physiotherapists listen carefully to each story and create an individualised plan that considers the body, the nervous system, hormonal factors, and the lived experience of pain. Importantly, we aim to provide a safe and supportive space, where with the right support, women can regaining comfort and confidence in daily life and intimacy.
