r/vestibulodynia

Hi, I finally got the surgery and have been having a pretty smooth recovery so far (not in a lot of pain, can go up and down stairs, have been making my own meals at just 5 days post op) but I’m curious about the swelling. Since the operation I’ve been so swollen that I cant even see stitches, vaginal opening, etc… literally all just looks like a wad of purple bubble gum lmao

Is normal to have to much swelling that you can’t see the stitches and everything? The only thing I’m really worried about is moisture/ bacteria getting trapped and it’s too painful to separate the swollen skin to try and dry everything thoroughly

Hi everyone,

I’ve been struggling with vaginismus for about 8 years. I’ve done dilation therapy and I can now insert the largest dilator without any problem.

However, when it comes to actual penetration, things still don’t go well. I keep getting pain and a burning sensation, especially in the lower part of the vaginal entrance (6 oclock area), and I also deal with recurrent small tearing and fissures there.

My gynecologist suggested changing penetration angles and even putting pillows under my hips, but honestly, no matter what I try, it still feels like that same spot is being stretched or hit. I often end up in pain afterward, sometimes with a small tear again.

She also suggested using lidocaine before intercourse, but I’m not really comfortable with that idea since it feels like it would just mask the pain rather than address the underlying issue.

Recently, she mentioned that I might have chronic vestibulitis, since that area is consistently red and sensitive, even though I’ve been using healing and moisturizing creams regularly.

It’s really frustrating because I feel like I’ve made progress with dilation, but I’m kind of stuck at this stage.

Has anyone been in a similar situation?

I’d really appreciate your experiences 🙏

( i've already posted this in r/vaginismus )

Hi, im a 21 year old woman and i been having vestibulær pain for over a year, i been to my personal doctor and to 2 gynecologist and to emergencys and nobody had been able to help me because "they cant see anything wrong". My symptoms are having pain in the left Bartholin's duct, it feels like when you have a wound in your mouth but just right there, i tried doing the cotton swap test on myself and when i touch the entrance of the duct i feel a sharp pain, i also tried seeing down there and i can see the left duct being irritated also if i haven't drink enough water through the day (more than 2L) then it also starts hurting and it hurts in intercourse to the point that even if its enough lubricated it still feels like its being forced in. I tried so much stuff to make it better, capsules for the vg, canasten, cream anestesia and steroids cream (i stopped after the treatment because i could see the skin down there getting all curled up because of tissue thining, tho my doctor said that apparently that wouldnt happend) not having intercurse almost at all and im still the same as when the pain first started, i never had this type of pain even after my first time it was just after half a year that it started, i have tried to search for a cyst but nothing, just that pain as if i had a wound the same type as the ones you get in the mouth. I really dont know what to do and i will appreciate if anybody could help me, honestly any advise helps

I recently started dating someone who was diagnosed with vestibulodynia several years ago (I believe it’s provoked). We haven’t had any physical intimacy yet but, in anticipation of it, she shared her diagnosis, experience, and some of her concerns.

I can tell from our past conversations that her vestibulodynia is a source of anxiety and insecurity. To an extent, I can sympathize with that; I have my own medical challenges (currently well-managed) and there have been times I’ve worried a partner will find me unattractive for that reason.

I really like her; I think she may be my person, but reading the experiences posted here and elsewhere it’s clear I’ll need to place additional emphasis on being supportive, responsive, and attentive to her specific needs (which may be beyond the typical).

All that is to say, how can I best support her? Is provoked vestibulodynia similar to an autoimmune condition that flares? How long so flares typically last? Is penetrative sex generally not an option, or is it something that needs caution and a slow lead up? What about oral? Outside of a vestibuloectomy (which it seems may not fit her case), can PFPT, hormone creams, and other lighter interventions enable a permanent remission?

I know that she will have her own needs and that her sharing them with me and my learning to accommodate them is the best way to figure us out. Still, I want to be sure that I’m setting my own expectations correctly and have some baseline knowledge from others who’ve experienced the condition so she doesn’t have to explain herself too much.

Any insight is appreciated, thanks.

Hi everyone,
I’m a 32-year-old woman from Italy and I’ve moved some months ago to Ottawa. I’ve had vulvodynia and vestibulodynia for a long time, but I only started managing it recently, and things were going very well (no more pain during intercourse!).

Since I arrived here, I’ve been feeling a bit anxious about not having any medical support. The situation got worse when I started seeing a guy—my symptoms quickly came back. I began experiencing pain after intercourse, as well as bruising and irritation.

To try to soothe the bruising, I applied some CBD oil that I bought from a cannabis shop to my vulva (I was already desperate), but that ended up causing a yeast infection, which I hadn’t had in many years (I used to have recurrent ones in the past).

At this point, I clearly need to see a doctor, but I know how difficult it can be to find a gynecologist who is knowledgeable about vulvodynia and dyspareunia. So I wanted to ask: does anyone have recommendations for a specialist in Ottawa or nearby?

About a year ago, I stopped using an estradiol/testosterone cream, and I believe that was what really helped me eliminate pain during intercourse. I would really like to find a gynecologist who is familiar with this treatment.

I also use amitriptiline and a little bit of eperisone hydrochloride for pp contracture.

Also, since moving here, I no longer have access to all the products that helped me feel more comfortable (like creams for vestibular massage, lubricant, cleanser, etc.), and I’ve noticed that products in Canada are quite different from those in Italy. So I would also really appreciate any recommendations for good products available here.

Thank you for everyone could help me <3 I'm quite desperate and don't know what to do.
Hope will be better for everyone!!

I've dealt with vaginal pain for long as I remember, mostly around my vestibule entrance. it used to only hurt sometimes, but now it hurts all the time. I've been to multiple Dr's and have been tested for diseases, given creams, and tried PT. if anything it's worse. I've looked at some suggestions here and it seems I'm already taking some recommended medications for other reasons and they're obviously not helping. I'm considering trying a different PT who focuses more on the vestible than general pelvic strength, but other that I'm out of ideas to discuss with my dr. anyone else have advice?

Hello ladies, I am waiting for an appointment with my obgyn for further diagnosis, just curious if anyone else here has neuroproliferative vesituboldyina that was caused by a herniated disc in the lumbar spine (lower back)?

For me it started six weeks ago with what I thought was a vaginal infection. I ended up being over prescribed different anti fungal treatments, each doctor just seeing all the inflammation and prescribing more anti fungals and Flagyl.

Eventually the gynae eliminated infection/ STI/ virus and diagnosed me with Vestibulodynia.

But what confuses me is that the initial pain that we thought was an infection is the same burning pain I have now.

I cannot touch the area at all, 1 - 11 o clock.

I have noticed that when I sit down my feet get pins and needles.

I also have a dull pins and needles sensation in my vagina. I'm wondering what the likelihood is that I may have a slipped disc causing it.

Any anecdotal advice would be encouraging.

MRI's are very expensive where I live, I do not have medical aid.

Also - to the ladies that have had a 1-11 o clock vestibulectomy, did you find relief afterwards?

I need hope :(

I have a 10 x 8 x 5 mm skene gland cyst on my left side and I have frequency, painful urination and sometimes even pelvic pain on left side and along with pins and needles nerve pain on the left side of the vestibule exactly between 3 to 5 0 clock position. I do understand my cyst is very small but I do have symptoms again if I press on cyst area there is no pain but I have the other symptoms I mentioned above. Some urologist are not even looking at this cyst saying it's too small they are more looking into conditions like

vulvodynia (vestibulardynia)

pudendal neuralgia

Im so confused how to go about this. should I get this small 1 cm cyst excised to see if my symptoms improve