There is a known medical condition called Vestibulodynia. This condition causes painful sex and being physically unable to use tampons due to pain and discomfort.Vestibulodynia affects up to 28 percent of all women between the ages of 20 to 40-years-old.
In a newly released study, eight women suffering from Vestibulodynia were interviewed.
"I've always had pain during sex, ever since the first time," one 23-year-old woman from the study said. "It destroys your sex life in a way. He thinks, ʻAll I've done is to inflict pain on her.' So it's not something you want to tell your boyfriend."
Vestibulodynia causes a painful burning sensation at the opening of the vagina by touch or penetration.
One common issue among the women wasn't just the physical pain they experienced during intercourse, but the emotional pain they feel when they're not physically able to have sex without feeling discomfort.
Here are 5 things you should know about this terrible condition, as explained by Bustle.
1. 2 Types of Vulvodynia: Vestibulodynia is one of two types of vulvodynia, or problems occuring around the vulva. Generalized vulvodynia refers to pain in the vulva area and touch or pressure to the area may or may not cause it. Vestibulodynia, on the other hand, is a painful burning sensation in the entrance of the vagina that occurs only after touch or pressure is applied.
2. Symptoms: Most afflicted women report hypersensitivity felt on the slightest touch to the vestible area. (the part of the body where the vulva meets the vagina). Because of this, pain occurs during intercourse or even when putting a tampon in. The degree of pain felt varies from individual to individual. While some women may tolerate penetrative sex, for others, wearing tight clothes may cause soreness and tenderness.
3. Causes: Vestibulodynia occurs when there is an overgroth of nerve fibers in the vulva area or existing nerves are extremely sensitive. There is no proof that it is caused by STDs. The causes could be nerve injury or irritation, hypersensitivity to yeast infections, hormonal changes, frequent antibiotic use, or genetic factors that make the vulva respond badly to chronic inflammation.
4. Pain: According to the study, the pain felt is very specific. Women describe the pain as "burning" and "prickly." But the real struggle is feeling like they're missing out on having a good sex life.
"It has to do with the desire for intimacy and to experience pleasure. They really want to have sex, they feel that they're missing out on something that they hear others talk about, something they've rarely or never experienced themselves," Groven said in the study. According to the authors, many young women experience this pain hear about sex and have great expectations for it. However, "it is such an enormous disappointment to realize that they can barely be touched."
5. Diagnosis and Treatment: After a doctor rules out infections and vulval skin conditions, gynecologists will usually take a Q-tip to touch the entry of the Vagina. Treatments vary based on physician, but typical treatment ranges from local anesthetic creams or gels and pelvic floor muscle physiotherapy, to sometimes surgery. Creams or gels can temporarily numb the nerves in the skin and usually safe for regular use.
But as one woman in the study said, finding ways to have sex that doesn't involve penetration has worked well for her and her partner. Also, it's very possible to find positions that are less painful and sometimes even pleasurable.
