Vulvar-Vaginal Pain Syndromes
Symptoms include:
- Provoked or unprovoked vulvar pain and/or burning
- Dyspareunia (pain with intercourse)
- Interlabial/vaginal itching without infection
- Clothing and underwear intolerance
Symptoms of vulvar pain can be caused by tight pelvic floor muscles, connective tissue restrictions, and nerve irritability. Connective tissue restrictions in the vulvar tissue lead to decreased blood flow resulting in tissue hypersensitivity. Tight pelvic floor muscles or pelvic floor myofascial trigger points can refer pain to the vulvar tissue or vagina. Because the Pudendal Nerve innervates the majority of the pelvic floor muscles, the genitals, and part of the vagina, when it is irritated it can contribute to vulvar or vaginal pain.
Your physical therapist will normalize the tight muscles and tissue with manual therapy techniques. A home exercise program will be prescribed to you to facilitate recovery and maintain the gains made. Resolution of the musculoskeletal dysfunction will result in the elimination of your symptoms.
Disclaimer: The Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center seeks to educate the community on musculoskeletal causes of pelvic pain. Specific medical advice and/or answers to your personal health questions will require a full examination by one of our physical therapists. This website is not intended to be a substitute for a medical evaluation, but rather as an educational resource.