The word vulvodynia means "painful vulva." Vulvodynia literally means pain in your vagina (vulva) called Vulvodynia or chronic vulvar pain.  There are several reasons Vulvodynia may be underreported. It may be partly due to the absence of visible signs of the condition. Or it could be the reluctance of many women to talk about their symptoms. Treatment options are available to lessen the pain.

Signs and symptoms

Your vulva consists of the pad of fatty tissue at the base of your abdomen (mons pubis), the labia, the clitoris and the opening of your vagina.

The main symptom of vulvodynia is pain in your genital area, which can be characterized by:

• Burning

• Soreness

• Itching

• Stinging

• Rawness

• Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)

• Throbbing

The pain you experience may be constant or intermittent and can last for months or even years but can vanish as suddenly or mysteriously as it started. A similar condition, vulvar vestibulitis, may cause pain only when pressure is applied to the area surrounding the entrance to your vagina.

Vulvar tissue may look minimally inflamed or swollen. More often, your vulva appears normal.

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