What is vulvodynia?

Vulvodynia is a pain condition affecting the vulva (the external gentials). It can affect the vulva as a whole or the clitoris (clitorodynia) or the vulval vestibule (vestibulodynia, also called vulvar vestibulitis). It is a chronic pain condition. Some women have pain from the first time they use a tampon or have sex. Other women develop vulvodynia after years, even decades, of being pain-free. Some women experience pain some or most of the time, some only have “provoked” pain (pain caused by activity).

Vulvodynia is not a well-known medical condition. Many GPs have not heard of it, and many women search for years for a diagnosis. Vulvodynia is under-diagnosed - it is a hidden problem.