How do I talk to my health care provider about vulvodynia?
For many women, talking about pain or discomfort that occurs in or around their genitals can be very uncomfortable and difficult. Women may feel embarrassed, or worry that they might have a sexually transmitted infection. Others may worry that their health care provider won’t take them seriously and dismiss their concerns as unimportant. Some may have raised this with other providers, and felt frustrated by their responses. Nevertheless, it is very important that women tell their health care providers about any pain and discomfort they are experiencing, being specific about where the pain and discomfort occurs, when it started, and whether or not the pain or discomfort is episodic in nature. Be open about what sort of home remedies you may have tried, and whether or not there have been other changes in your medical history. While you may indeed have vulvodynia, it is entirely possible that there may be another cause for your pain and discomfort, and you and your health care provider wi
