What are the symptoms of vulvodynia and vulvar vestibulitis?
The severity of symptoms can range from mere irritation to incapacitating pain in the vulva, which is made up of the skin and underlying tissue at and around the opening of the pelvic organs. Classic complaints include: • Chronic pelvic pain that is aggravated by tight clothing and contact with the vulva. • Painful sexual intercourse. • Burning with urination. • Vaginal burning. • Inability to wear certain clothing, particularly tight clothing. • Inability to tolerate sanitary pads. Patients also might feel like they are experiencing recurrent bladder infections, with symptoms such as burning during urination, frequent urination and a strong urge to urinate. However, if they have vulvodynia or vulvar vestibulitis, a lab test will show no infection-causing bacteria in their urine. They also may develop other pain conditions, such as pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis and fibromyalgia. Because patients with vulvodynia or vulvar
