Has anyone found a successful treatment for Vulvodynia?

Answer 1

No one treatment works for every woman, and you may find that a combination of treatments works best for you. Available options may include:

- Medications. Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline can help lessen chronic pain. This type of antidepressant may work better. Anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine (Tegretol) and gabapentin (Neurontin) also may lessen the pain. Antihistamines such as hydroxyzine can reduce itching.
- Biofeedback therapy. This therapy can help reduce pain by teaching you how to control specific body responses. To cope with vulvodynia, biofeedback can teach you to relax your pelvic muscles, which can sometimes contract in anticipation of pain and actually cause chronic pain itself.
- Local anesthetics. Using medications such as lidocaine can provide temporary relief from the pain.
- Topical creams. Creams that contain estrogen or cortisone can help alleviate the pain.
- Sitz baths. Bathing the area around your external genitals and buttocks in a saline solution can sometimes help make you feel better, but it also has the potential to aggravate your discomfort.

The following tips may help you manage the symptoms of vulvodynia:

-Try cold compresses. Cool compresses placed directly on your external genital area may help lessen pain and itching.
-Avoid tightfitting pantyhose and nylon underwear. Wear cotton underwear to increase ventilation and dryness.
-Avoid hot tubs. Spending time in a hot tub may lead to discomfort and itching.
-Avoid excessive hygiene. Washing or scrubbing the affected area harshly or too often can increase irritation.
-Try an antihistamine at bedtime. This may help reduce itching and help you rest better.
-Look for triggers and avoid them. Avoid potentially irritating soaps, clothing dyes, creams and bath products.
- Work with your doctor. Over time you can work with your doctor to identify the approaches that work best for you.
- Stay active. Regular exercise can help ease chronic pain, but stay away from exercises that put pressure directly on the vulva, such as bicycling.
- Accept small steps of progress. Don't expect instant ures.
- Have confidence that you'll feel better over time.

Answer 2

There's nothing that I know of, but your doctor should be able to provide a cream to help with the pain.