Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer For Medicare For Providers For Brokers For Employers Español For Individuals & Families: For Individuals & Families Medical Dental Other Supplemental Explore coverage through work How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics Shop for Medicare plans Member Guide Find a Doctor Log in to myCigna
Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library Vulvodynia

Vulvodynia

Conditions Basics

What is vulvodynia?

Vulvodynia is pain in the vulva that can't be explained by another health problem, such as an infection or a skin problem. The vulva is the genital area outside the body that surrounds the opening of the vagina and the urethra. It also includes the clitoris and the labia.

What causes it?

Doctors don't know the exact cause of vulvodynia. But some things that may help cause it include:

  • Swelling of or injury to the nerves of the vulva.
  • Spasms or weakness of the muscles that support the organs of the pelvis.
  • A family history of vulvodynia.

In most cases, vulvar pain is a symptom of some other problem. And when that problem is treated, the pain often goes away. Some conditions that may cause vulvar pain include yeast infections and other vaginal infections, atrophic vaginitis, lichen sclerosus, lichen planus, or an allergic reaction to soaps or other products, such as vaginal sprays or douches.

What are the symptoms?

Pain is the main symptom of vulvodynia. Depending on the person, the pain may:

  • Be felt only in one spot, such as near the opening of the vagina. This is called localized vulvodynia. Or you may feel the pain on or around most of the vulva. This is called generalized vulvodynia.
  • Occur only when something touches the area. Or it may happen when nothing touches the area.
  • Be constant or come and go for months or even years.
  • Be mild or very bad.
  • Be felt during and after sex.
  • Flare up when you sit on a bicycle, put in a tampon, or wipe your vulva.

Other symptoms may include:

  • Burning or stinging.
  • Itching.
  • Swelling.
  • Throbbing.

How is it diagnosed?

Your doctor will first ask you about your past health, your sexual history, and your symptoms. Then you will get a pelvic exam to rule out other possible causes for your pain, such as an infection or a skin problem.

During the exam, your doctor may use a cotton swab to touch different areas on and around your vulva to see where the pain is and how bad it is. If your doctor sees a problem or any skin changes, you may need more tests. Your urine, blood, or other fluids may be checked for infection. Or you may need a biopsy. This means that your doctor will remove a small piece of tissue from your vulva and send it to a lab to be studied for the cause of your pain. Your doctor may also recommend an exam called a colposcopy to take a closer look at the cells on your vulva.

If a cause for your pain is not found, you may have vulvodynia.

How is vulvodynia treated?

There are many treatments for vulvodynia, but what works for someone else may not help you. Work with your doctor to find what is best for you. Even though there is no cure, treatment can help you feel better.

Treatment may include:

Medicines.

Medicines that are applied to the skin, such as estrogen cream or lidocaine ointment, may help relieve pain. Other medicines that may be used include antidepressants, seizure medicines, and nerve blocks.

Physical therapy and biofeedback

Specific exercises can help you learn how to control and relax your pelvic muscles. Tightness or spasms in these muscles can make vulvar pain worse.

Cognitive behavioral therapy.
This is a type of counseling that can help you learn to change the way you think about and manage your pain.
Surgery.

In rare cases, surgery is done to remove tissue that is very sensitive.

There are other things you can try to relieve your symptoms:

  • Always clean your vulva gently.
  • Avoid soaps and other products, such as vaginal sprays or douches, that irritate your skin.
  • Wear loose-fitting cotton clothes. Avoid nylon and other fabrics that hold moisture close to the skin. This may cause irritation and allow an infection to start.
  • Avoid hot baths, and don't use soaps or bath products to wash your vulva. Rinse with water only, and gently pat the area dry.
  • Relieve itching and pain with a cold water compress or a cool bath. Don't scratch the area.
  • Try using a vaginal lubricant, such as Astroglide or K-Y Jelly, to reduce irritation from having sex.
  • Stay active. But limit exercises that can irritate the vulva, such as bike riding or horseback riding.

How can you live better with it?

When you have vulvodynia, you may find it hard to do your daily tasks. It may hurt to walk, exercise, or sit for long periods of time. And it may hurt to have sex. All of these things can affect your life, work, and relationships.

Here are some things that may help.

See a counselor.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy allows you to express your emotions and concerns and to learn new ways of coping with vulvar pain. Sex therapy can also help you and your partner find ways to be intimate that don't cause pain.

Keep a pain diary.

You can track moods, thoughts, activities, and medicines that affect pain. Having a record of pain can help you and your doctor find the best ways to treat it.

Get support.

A support group can help you share your concerns and hear how other people cope with the pain and challenges of living with vulvodynia.

Practice relaxation and breathing exercises.

Meditation and guided imagery are two examples of how you can reduce stress and relax your mind and muscles.

Current as of: November 27, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

© 2024 Ignite Healthwise, LLC. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Ignite Healthwise, LLC.

Related Links

Menopause and Perimenopause Chronic Pelvic Pain Female Sexual Problems Female Genital Problems and Injuries

<cipublic-spinner variant="large"><span>Loading…</span></cipublic-spinner>

Page Footer

I want to...

Get an ID card File a claim View my claims and EOBs Check coverage under my plan See prescription drug list Find an in-network doctor, dentist, or facility Find a form Find 1095-B tax form information View the Cigna Glossary Contact Cigna

Audiences

Individuals and Families Medicare Employers Brokers Providers

Secure Member Sites

myCigna member portal Health Care Provider portal Cigna for Employers Client Resource Portal Cigna for Brokers

The Cigna Group Information

About Cigna Healthcare Company Profile Careers Newsroom Investors Suppliers The Cigna Group Third Party Administrators International Evernorth

 Cigna. All rights reserved.

Privacy Legal Product Disclosures Cigna Company Names Customer Rights Accessibility Non-Discrimination Notice Language Assistance [PDF] Report Fraud Sitemap Cookie Settings

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details