Vulval Pain
Vulval pain is a general term for any pain in the vulva. The vulva includes the inner and outer lips (labia), the clitoris, the urethral opening (where wee comes out) and the vaginal opening.
Vulvodynia is pain, burning or discomfort in the vulva which cannot be linked to a specific cause such as a current infection, inflammation or hormonal change. Vulvodynia is common, with an estimated 8-16% of women experiencing vulvodynia at some life stage. It might be intermittent or relatively constant.
Like many intimate conditions, vulval pain often goes unspoken. Many quietly live with it for years, too embarrassed to confide in someone or ask for help and (wrongly) believing there isn’t anything that can be done. When left untreated, it can feel frustrating, even isolating, affecting almost every part of our lives. You might find yourself carefully planning your outfits, unable to wear jeans, avoiding sitting for too long, withdrawing socially or avoiding relationships. But the good news is, it doesn't have to stay this way.
We’re here to help.
Our experienced postgraduate qualified pelvic health physiotherapists are here to help treat this condition, so there’s no need to suffer in silence. Our team treat people with problems just like yours every week, and you’ll be happy to know that most people experiencing vulval pain can be helped.
Vulvodynia is pain, burning or discomfort in the vulva which cannot be linked to a specific cause. Fortunately, our postgraduate qualified pelvic health physiotherapists are experienced in treating this condition.
Common signs & symptoms of vulval pain
Each person experiences vulval pain differently, but these are some of the signs and symptoms you may be familiar with:
- Pain with any genital touch
- Pain or burning in the vulva while sitting
- Pain or burning in the vulva with tight clothing, such as jeans and activewear
- Pain with sexual entry or penetration
- Pain with tampon insertion, vaginal ultrasound and cervical screening
- Pain with arousal
- Pain that lasts for hours after sex
- Feeling worried or fearful about sex
- Reduced sexual desire and arousal
Types of Vulval Pain
Provoked vulvodynia
When symptoms occur with touch or pressure to the vulva during activities that should not usually be painful. The symptoms might include light touch, inserting a tampon, sexual arousal or sexual intercourse.
Generalised vulvodynia
When vulvar pain occurs spontaneously and is often felt constantly, e.g. by any external touch or pressure, such as wearing tight clothing or sitting down.
Risk factors & causes of vulvodynia
- Changes in the brain and nervous system, causing increased vulval sensitivity
- Pelvic floor muscle tension and difficulty relaxing
- A history of infection, thrush or tissue trauma, even though it's healed
- Hormonal changes
- Reduced libido and arousal
- Worry and fear of pain
- Emotional factors such as anxiety, stress and relationship problems
- Things that have occurred in the past, such as trauma or abuse
- Lichen sclerosis, eczema, STIs
Our Proven Pathway for Treating Vulval Pain
Discover what matters
You’re assessed as a whole person
We begin by taking the time to learn all about you – as a whole person, not just a patient. So, your postgraduate qualified pelvic health physiotherapist will gather the following information:
- QUESTIONNAIRE: You’ll complete a pelvic health questionnaire online before your first visit. This helps us understand about your history, current health concerns and what matters to you.
- 1-on-1 CONSULTATION: Here, we’ll take the time to learn about you and your vulval pain. We believe a holistic approach enables us to understand how your specific physical, emotional and lifestyle factors influence your pelvic health.
- THOROUGH ASSESSMENT: This includes a vulval and pelvic floor examination and questionnaires to understand your thoughts, feelings and environment.
- CONNECTING THE DOTS: Now that we’ve discovered so much about you and your vulval pain, we can explore how it all fits together. For example, you might gain an understanding of how a history of thrush and life’s stresses can lead to a cycle of sensitivity in the nerves and tension in the pelvic floor, causing ongoing vulval pain.
- SET GOALS: We’ll help you set meaningful pelvic health goals, such as:
- Wear leggings to the gym comfortably
- Sit through a movie happily
- Enjoy pain-free sex
Restore what matters
You’ll have a personalised pelvic health plan.
Step 2 is where things really start to move forward. Together, we’ll choose the most suitable, research-backed treatment options tailored to your lifestyle. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of pain science, how your nervous system and body work together, what might not be working optimally, and what you can do to reduce vulval pain.
You’ll then begin learning how to break the pain cycle using strategies that help calm your nerves, muscles, and the connection between your thoughts and emotions. This may include techniques like mindfulness or breathing exercises.
We’ll also explore self-management tools, genital skin care, and ways to help your body relearn that touch can be safe and comfortable.
At this stage, we’ll begin Pelvic Floor Muscle Training. You’ll develop new skills and connect with muscles you may not have realised were there. Your personalised program will focus on what your body needs—especially learning how to relax these muscles. We’ll also introduce ways to improve libido and arousal.
Then, to support your progress, you’ll receive high-quality resources and practical tools – everything you need to continue moving forward with confidence.
ABOUT YOUR APPOINTMENTS: Together, we’ll work out how often we should see each other. We’ll agree on what works best for you, your commitments and your finances.
Enjoy what matters
You’ll be living your best life.
The third step is ensuring you achieve all the meaningful goals you set at the start of your journey. At this stage, you might also find that you can embrace new possibilities you hadn’t considered, such as online dating or taking up a new sport. You’ll have all the valuable skills to ensure a pain-free vulva in all situations, without running back to appointments all the time.
Sometimes, though, life can throw things off course, and you might find yourself needing to pause and recalibrate. A stressful life event, an infection, or the challenges that come with childbirth or menopause can all affect vulval comfort. No matter what’s going on, just know – we’re always here for you, ready to help whenever you need it.
Read about Emma 29 yrs, Carmel 28 yrs
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Pelvic Health Matters
New name.
Same exceptional care.
Formerly known as Women’s & Men’s Health Physiotherapy, our new name reflects both what we believe in and what we do. We have an unwavering belief that pelvic health matters for everyone, at every stage of life.
Same phone number: 03 8823 8300
New email: physio@pelvichealth.com.au