Vulvodynia Support

When I think back to it, I think I've had this issue since I was 15. Any feelings of arousal result in a stinging/burning sensation in my vagina. After this point, any feelings of wanting sex are gone because all I can think about is pain. I've tried sex before this point of arousal, but I find that I'm just not in the mood yet or not well enough lubricated for sex.

I've talked to my gynecologist about this, and I was completely put off by her diagnosis: it was psychological. She prescribed Lidocaine 2% and recommended I buy a dildo and masturbate more. I feel like it is plausible that it is psychological but I feel it could also be something with nerves. I'm also planning to see a new gynecologist.

I'm not sure if this is vulvodynia or what, but I thought you guys would know best. Any one ever heard of this? Any recommendations or ideas?

I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner!  I was swamped at work and I had surgery a week ago so I've been out of commission for the last 2 weeks.

It's possible that it could be something related to vulvodynia, but I would also bristle at the suggestion that it's psychological--why on earth would you have decided that a burning stinging sensation would be something that you wanted at the age of 15?  Some doctors believe that if they can't see the problem with their eyes or find it with a standard test than it must not really exist, which is ridiculous.  It's as though they think we've discovered everything about medicine we'll ever know already.

I agree with seeing a new gynecologist.  Hopefully your next experience is different than with your current doctor.  You  might also try keeping a journal of when you feel the discomfort, whether it's only related to a sexual situation, if there is anything that makes it better or worse, does the pain go away or intensify if you proceed with intercourse....anything you can think of.  If you drink alcohol, do you notice any improvement after a drink or two?  I'm not suggesting alcohol as medication, but that's how my former gynecologist determined that it was a nerve problem--alcohol depresses the nervous system.  For other people it's food allergies.

You're not alone--I know the board is pretty darned quiet, but there are women out there going through the same thing you're going through.  Please let us know if we can help, okay?  Good luck!