The underlying condition overlooked in many women who visit multiple doctors for years with complaints of superficial dyspareunia (pain at entry) and are sent home being told it is 'psychological' is Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome (VVS). VVS is a non-infectious, chronic inflammatory, and hypersensitive state of the delicate tissue at the vaginal opening called the 'vestibule.' In patients with painful intercourse, this syndrome is diagnosed using specialized tests, and effective treatment methods are applied.
What Are the Symptoms of Vulvar Vestibulitis?
Pain in VVS patients is highly characteristic and is triggered under the following conditions:
Treatment of Vulvar Vestibulitis
Since this condition is not of psychological origin, it cannot be resolved with psychotherapy alone. Treatment includes local anesthetic creams, medications that reduce nerve sensitivity, and pelvic floor physical therapy. In resistant cases, a success rate of over 90% in achieving complete and permanent recovery is obtained through vestibulectomy (surgical removal of the sensitized tissue).