What it is
Treatments include gentle skin care, numbing gels, medicines for nerve pain, pelvic floor physiotherapy and talking therapies.
Different treatments work for different people, so it can take time to find what helps.
Common signs
- Burning, stinging or throbbing pain in the vulva
- Pain during sex or when using tampons
- Pain when sitting for a long time
- Pain when the area is touched
How it is usually diagnosed
- Questions about symptoms
- Examination, including a gentle cotton swab test
- Swabs to rule out infection
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- GP or gynaecology notes
- Swab results
- Physiotherapy notes
- Pain clinic letters
- Medicine lists
Questions to ask your doctor
- Could there be another cause for the pain?
- Which treatments might help?
- Can I be referred to a pelvic floor physiotherapist?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Thoughts of harming yourself: get urgent help, call 112 if in danger
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.