Vaginal Pain / Vaginismsus

Vaginal pain varies for different women. It can be present with or without physical contact, but can often be exacerbated by physical contact. It varies in intensity and frequency, from occasional to constant and unrelenting. The onset can also vary, some women will have had vaginal pain since their first experience of vaginal contact e.g. trying a tampon or intercourse for the first time. For others it can occur after many years of pain free vaginal contact.

It is frequently misdiagnosed as a yeast infection, and often women find themselves being referred to one specialty after another without receiving a diagnosis or a treatment plan, leading to further pain and anxiety.

It is thought that the cause of the Vaginal pain may stem from an injury or irritation to the local pain nerves in response to trauma, infection or sensitivity to environmental factors.

In most women there is an increase in tension and activity of the pelvic floor and the connective tissue in the trunk area. Treatment therefore takes a holistic approach, working on releasing the tight structures, exercising the pelvic floor to re-educate how to control both contraction and relaxation of the muscles, desensitising the painful areas, pain, anxiety and stress management, whilst working together to allow you to return to normal activities in your life.

Vulval Pain / Vulvodynia

Vulvodynia is a term given to overactive nerve endings in the vulval region, with pain being felt anywhere in the vulva, perineum and/or vagina.

Pain can often be a constant burning sensation on the external skin as well as a burning and itching sensation within the vagina. Touching the tissues can cause an intense burning pain. Intercourse or insertion of a tampon can lead to a ripping or tearing pain associated with an intense burning sensation.

Vulvodynia can be caused by irritation of the pelvic floor nerves, overactivity of the pelvic floor muscles, connective tissue tightness, hormonal changes (sometimes secondary to taking the birth control pill or menopausal changes), genetic factors, issues in the skin, and central sensitisation.

As Vulvodynia is related to irritation of the pelvic floor nerves, there is often overactivity of the pelvic floor muscles and tightness in surrounding connective tissue. Treatment therefore takes a holistic approach to desensitise tissues, decrease pain, release tight tissues and work on controlling the pelvic floor muscles to switch on and off. 

Most importantly, we will work with you to decrease anxieties relating to normal day to day activities and with treatment and support, allow you to return to non painful sexual activity.

We use an evidence based, multi faceted approach to your pain that we tailor to your exact needs. No woman is the same and therefore no pain is the same!