What are the signs of vulvodynia?
Vulvodynia can range from mild to severe. Usually, a burning or stinging sensation is noted during intercourse or when tampons are inserted; upon touching the area with a cotton swab, pain is felt when the hymen and inner vaginal lips are touched. There may or may not be visible redness and swelling. With vulvodynia of neurologic origin, the pain tends to be more or less constant and more diffused in area. In severe cases, the pain can be agonizing.The clitoris can become involved, becoming painful or hypersensitive and there may shooting pains from the clitoris up the abdomen. With severe VVS, much of the vulva can be reddened, swollen and very inflamed.(2,3) Often, there is hypersensitivity along the edges of the inner vaginal lips and the pain can be so severe that it makes walking difficult. A constant itching or stinging sensation in the grooves between the large and small vaginal lips is commonly reported; some women cannot stand to wear underwear for this reason, because the sli
