#vulvar vestibulitis

[shewhisperedit]

I went through physical therapy for literally years but I did end up getting improvement, and when I’m actually regular with some stretches or exercises I have continued relief. No journey is linear but this is crucial information to spread the word on. My spouse was kind and supportive through the whole process and we have an actually AMAZING sex life, with penetration as a frequent part of it.

This was a huge mental burden for me for so long and I felt so alone. This is real. Share with others.

We all know what erectile dysfunction is but literally no one is ever taught what vaginismus is and it can cause people to feel extremely lost, broken, and cause people to take their own lives. Raise. Awareness.

[nina-iseri]

I thought more about Aya Shameimaru's cloaca and I've come to the conclusion that not all sex would be anal. My thought is that while the cloaca seems to have one opening, there are still different structures within for reproduction and waste venting. So a cloaca is more like if the anus was part of the vulvar vestibule and protected by the labia. In humans the uretha and vagina and both on the vulvar vestibule, but we don't consider vaginal sex urethral, so neither should cloacal sex be anal.

you’re so wise. but so then does it depend on which part of the cloaca you fuck? surely you can still do anal if you you know do it in that part.

[sukimas]

Is it just me or do Yukari's gaps look sort of yonic? Like the two bows sort of separate it so the top part is like a clitoris and the bottom a fourchette. Middle/main part labia minora or vulvar vestibule? Ribbons = unwrapping = intimancy?? Ribbons = gifts = love?? Passing through symbolic of birth?? I feel insane

Curious as to where you think the disembodied hands and eyes fit into this. And also the workings of your brain in general.

[thatsonemorbidcorvid]

Non consensual sex gave me VVS. It is been 10 years this year and I have never had sex without it feeling like I was being teared in half.

VVS = vulvar vestibulitis syndrome I believe

I’m so sorry to hear this anon, and I hope you are coping ok with the cards you’ve been dealt. Sending love xx

[gibbearish]

(First off ty for being open to questions)

I know you’re (probably?) not a medical expert but for reasons seeing a doctor isn’t super possible for me rn

And I’ve realized this is less a question about vaginismus and more just me rambling about a problem in the hopes that SOMEONE will have an idea of what’s going on. So, sorry about that

I’ve wondered for a long time if I have vaginismus bc I can’t do vaginal penetration with anything without discomfort at the very least, but idk if it actually is vaginismus because the discomfort is only at the entrance. Any time I try to insert something there’s usually a slight burning feeling for a while afterwards, but again, only at the entrance.

I wondered if maybe there was a problem with the hymen being too big or too inflexible, but none of the diagrams I’ve looked at looks like what I have going on, and I can’t tell if that’s because diagrams almost always exaggerate/generalize what something looks like or if it’s because there’s something genuinely just Different about what I’ve got

So yea, can discomfort/pain from vaginismus occur only at the entrance? Or is there likely something else going on?

I’ve realized this is not much information to go off, I can try to clarify if there are any questions. Again, sorry about the ramble/lack of info

no worries! + yes it can be right at the entrance rather than the whole canal, that's pretty much how mine worked with a little vaginal atrophy sprinkled on for flavor. that being said i have had a few people in the notes mention potential other causes like a perforated hymen, fibromyalgia, and vulvar vestibulitis, all of which i know very little about, so unfortunately i dont think theres much help i could offer in terms of figuring out which one it is:(

[hd99-solutions]

Painful Intercourse Treatment Options for Pain Relief

Painful intercourse treatment, also known as dyspareunia, is a surprisingly common issue affecting women of all ages. It can be a frustrating and isolating experience, but it's important to remember that you're not alone and that there are effective treatment options available.

This blog post will explore the different causes of painful intercourse, along with various treatment approaches to help you find relief and return to a healthy, enjoyable sex life.

Knowing the Reasons for Painful Intercourse Treatment:

Painful intercourse treatment can stem from a variety of physical and emotional factors. Here's a breakdown of some common culprits:

Physical causes:

Vaginal dryness: This is a frequent cause, especially after menopause or during breastfeeding. Reduced estrogen levels decrease natural lubrication, making sex uncomfortable.

Skin conditions: eczema, psoriasis, or vulvar vestibulitis (irritation of the vulvar opening) can cause irritation and pain.

Underlying medical conditions: endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), or uterine fibroids can contribute to pain during intercourse.

Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction: Tightness or weakness in these muscles can lead to pain during penetration.

Emotional causes:

Stress and anxiety: Performance anxiety or general stress can make it difficult to relax and become aroused, leading to discomfort.

Past sexual trauma: Experiences of sexual abuse or assault can create a physical or emotional aversion to sex.

Relationship issues: Communication problems or feelings of intimacy can negatively impact sexual experiences.

Seeking Help: The Importance of Diagnosis

If you're experiencing pain during intercourse, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional. They can perform a physical exam for painful intercourse treatment, discuss your medical history, and potentially recommend additional tests like a pelvic ultrasound to identify any underlying causes.

A proper diagnosis is essential for finding the most effective treatment plan. Don't hesitate to seek help; a healthcare professional can provide a safe and supportive environment to discuss your concerns.

Treatment Options for Painful Intercourse:

The good news is that there are various treatment approaches for painful intercourse treatment, tailored to address the specific cause. Here's an overview of some common methods:

Lifestyle modifications:

Lubrication: Using a water-based or silicone-based lubricant can significantly improve comfort during painful intercourse treatment, especially if vaginal dryness is a concern.

Stress management: Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help reduce stress and anxiety, promote relaxation, and improve sexual function.

Communication: Open and honest communication with your partner about your needs and preferences is essential for a fulfilling sexual experience. Discussing positions or activities that are comfortable for you can significantly reduce pain.

Medications:

Hormone therapy: For women experiencing pain due to menopause-related vaginal dryness, topical estrogen creams, tablets, or vaginal rings can effectively increase lubrication and improve comfort.

Antibiotics: If an underlying infection like bacterial vaginosis is causing pain, antibiotics can help clear the infection and alleviate discomfort.

Pain relievers: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can be taken before sex to manage pain temporarily.

Physical therapy:

Pelvic floor muscle therapy: A specialized physical therapist can teach you exercises to strengthen or relax your pelvic floor muscles, improving control and reducing pain during intercourse.

Therapy:

Sex therapy: A sex therapist can help address emotional factors contributing to pain, such as performance anxiety, past trauma, or relationship issues. They can provide tools and techniques to improve communication, build intimacy, and develop healthy sexual habits.

Conclusion:

Painful intercourse treatment doesn't have to define your sexual experience. With the right diagnosis and treatment approach, you can find relief and rediscover a fulfilling sexual life. Remember, communication with your healthcare professional and openness with your partner are key to finding solutions.

[amberwellnessgroup]

Recurrent UTIs

Exploring the Impact of Menopause and the Urobiome on the Urinary Tract

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infections in women. These infections occur when pathogenic bacteria, predominantly Escherichia coli (E. coli), enter the urinary tract, leading to symptoms such as increased urinary frequency, urgency, burning sensations, and abdominal tenderness. The primary route of bacterial entry is ascending from the periurethral space. In females, these bacteria usually come from the fecal flora that have colonized other areas of the pelvis, including the perineum, vaginal vestibule and urethra.

Our bodies possess natural defenses against UTIs. The flow of urine acts as a cleansing mechanism, and urine’s specific pH and osmolarity create an environment that inhibits bacterial growth. The urobiome, the collection of bacteria within the urinary system, further contribute to protection against pathogens. However, as we age this defense system weakens.

Recurrent UTIs are significantly more prevalent in postmenopausal women, and research indicates that sexual activity and the use of lubricants are not significant contributors. Instead, the decline in estrogen during menopause is largely responsible for the heightened prevalence of UTIs, with incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse also increasing one’s risk. Estrogen maintains the elasticity and moisture of vaginal and urethral tissues, as well as the volume and strength of pelvic floor muscles. Without estrogen, these tissues become more vulnerable to bacterial ascent, leading to infections. Estrogen also supports a healthy urobiome by promoting the growth of Lactobacillus, a beneficial bacteria essential in preventing infection.

The urobiome is a key consideration in understanding recurrent UTIs. A healthy urinary tract boasts a variety of microbes, with Lactobacillus being the most common, to support a diverse microbiome. Urobiome dysbiosis, which is an imbalance in the microbial composition in the urinary tract, creates an environment susceptible to infections and has been found in women with UTIs. Changes in the composition of the urinary microbiome have also been linked to non-infectious urologic conditions, including urinary urge incontinence, interstitial cystitis, and neurogenic bladder dysfunction. Notably, shifts in the microbiome may manifest UTI-like symptoms even in the absence of pathogenic bacteria. In these cases, the use of antibiotics can exacerbate the problem by creating further imbalance in the urobiome. For this reason, it’s important to support a diverse microbial community as each organism serves various functions to create and maintain a healthy urinary tract.

Preventing recurrent UTIs necessitates a multidimensional approach that supports both the urinary tissue and the urobiome. In menopause, vaginal estrogen emerges as a valuable tool, aiding in the maintenance of tissue integrity and promoting the growth of lactobacillus species to support a healthy urobiome. Laser therapy, such as the MonaLisa Touch, a therapy we offer at Amber Wellness Group, is another innovative method contributing to tissue restoration and infection prevention by rejuvenating vulvar and perianal cells. Complementary strategies, including herbal remedies and probiotics, further bolster urinary tract health. At Amber Wellness Group, we prioritize a comprehensive approach to recurrent UTIs, focusing on each patient’s unique health history and making personalized recommendations for the individual.

If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment or you’d like more information, please contact us.

[welcometothegatewaylove]

I know that I haven’t posted anything in ages, but I stumbled out of the woodwork to post this.

I decided to pop into the vulvodynia tag to see if there was anything new (and was extremely disappointed to see that fucking band is still taking it over--once again, kindly leave), and I’ve seen quite a few posts about how people don’t know how to tell people about their illness/es because of the area and how society reacts to “women’s problems”.

When I was first diagnosed, I didn’t know how to explain it either for the very same reason: fuck you, it’s an illness that I did nothing to get and I’m not ashamed of having it.  However, there are times when someone doesn’t need to know all the details, or you simply don’t want to go into it.  So my then-boyfriend came up with this: tell them you have “a lower spinal nerve and musculature disorder” (I have high tone PFD and IC as well, so you could cut it to “lower spinal nerve disorder” should you please).  It’s true, it conveys the seriousness of what you’re going through, and it more likely than not will cover any visible symptoms the person you’ve told will witness.

I hope this can help someone.  Inbox is open.  

[mimjandoodlesstuff]

Man, you are so much kinder and more forgiving than I am, but you’re right about everything here.

To turn personal for a moment,

But diagnoses are so weird. It took me years of people having no idea what’s wrong with me when doing generalised checkups (I’m pretty sure one doctor even kind of dismissed me in a way) until mom and I agreed that something is definitely wrong when I wouldn’t stop rubbing where it hurts. It took me one interview and one checkup for a gyno to diagnose me with (vulvar) vestibulitis and another to expand it to generalised vulvodynia. It was so nice to finally have a name for it after so many years of hurting (even if the true realisation that chronic means forever hit me like nothing else had done before), but the fact that it took me basically half a lifetime of pain to figure this out angers me. But I live and can survive.

To derail the iteration somewhat, but I plan for my version of Raph to acquire some pretty bad shell damage after Rocksteady is… very unkind to him, if we put it like that. I see Raph as the type of person to push past the agony no matter what, and to bypass the healing time issue I want to have freak of nature science genius Donatello Hamato do reconstructive surgery on him, but he’s still left with considerable nerve damage. Even if I in my heart of hearts know that Raph will push himself Edward-Elric-post-prosthetic-limb-operation-recovery style, I don’t want to pretend Raph doesn’t suffer and cry over the pain and chronic nature of it, because implying he doesn’t is doing not only every other disabled person but also myself a massive disservice. Even the strongest among us can’t handle the pain (especially during flare up periods), and that’s ok.

for fusions: are you planning on keeping Leos knee injury as an in his head thing?

GOD no, I'm doing RIGHT by that boy.

I'm someone who has chronic pain and I HAVE ARTHRITIS IN ONE OF MY KNEES, I know knee pain !!! YOU CAN'T JUST CASUALLY BREAK YOUR LEG IN THE SAME PLACES LIKE 3 TIMES AND JUST "GET OVER" IT???

I. Hated. The farmhouse arc. Mostly because it made this huge deal out of Leo pushing himself hard, pushing himself TOO hard, breaking his leg again he pushed himself so hard, and then the show goes "actually he wasn't pushing HARD ENOUGH". Like. That's not how fucking structural problems in your body works. It should've been handled in a way that isn't aBLEIST AS SHIT.

They should have either a) made it obvious that Leo was favoring his leg out of fear or anxiety and not actual, physical issues his leg was still having, or b) make the story about him learning to actually rest. Learning to rest, to stop doing things, to stop trying, is such a fucking hard thing to learn. It's harder than trying because when you're trying, it feels like you're doing something.

When you just have to lay there, and rest, and wait, it feels like you're doing nothing, and society likes to make it seem like you're a bad person for doing nothing. Most people don't know how to rest properly, and I thoroughly believe the narrative would have been MUCH more interesting if they had pushed the idea that Leo was working himself too hard, he was pushing too much, and he would just keep hurting himself if he didn't properly heal first.

Instead they just went "haha pain is all your head and you can work past it :) "

You cannot.

Sometimes pain is just fucking pain, and sometimes it never goes away, and you have to learn to survive with that pain. You can't work past it, you can't wish it away as much as you want to, you can't just push yourself because it gets worse. You just have to breathe, and lay there, and rest.

It's such a fucking hard thing to do.

[aspieloser]

I h8 my body I just wanna have sex goddamit

[sawmestarttobelieve]

I need friends who either have or understand pelvic pain because holy hell in a handbasket my vulvodynia is flaring so bad lately and it is M I S E R A B LE and I wanna vent and or process it but also you can’t just text people and say “hey my vulva is in searing pain.”

The fire gif is meant to be representative of my pain. 🙃🙃🙃

[gibbearish]

yeah theyre not really supposed to hurt pretty much at all. after i finished my physical therapy and tried again, im not exaggerating when i say i literally barely felt it. and obviously your mileage may vary, some slight discomfort or pain can happen even if everything goes smoothly, but your doctor should stop and figure out whats causing it, and it definitely should not be excrutiating. like, it should be around papercut levels at most. stubbing your toe should be worse. it's just that thanks to decades of misogyny in the medical system, doctors by and large assume the pain of "women" (or those they consider to be as such) doesnt exist and/or matter, so when patients report it hurting a lot they either dismiss that as a lie/overexaggeration, or tell them that's the way it always is. which i mean, i guess thats true to a certain degree, but less in the "everyone does it this way therefore this is the right way to do it" way and more in the "this shit is widespread and systemic" way. but yeah tldr, it's not supposed to hurt much. a good doctor should notice youre in pain and try to find the cause before proceeding, and give you a referral to a specialist if they can't figure it out themselves. it's just that it's so common for doctors to not know or care that it can be done painlessly that that's also how most patients think it has to be, so everyone just carries on assuming there's no alternative.

anyways. rant aside, i do also want to clarify that pain during a pap doesnt necessarily 100% mean it's vaginismus, for example if the insertion was fine but the sample collection was bad then that may have been an issue with the brush they were using (i think my doctor did mention the one they used on me was a recent development? but i cant remember too well), vs if it was painful from the moment insertion started then that's a lot more likely. it could also be vaginal atrophy, or ppl in the notes have mentioned microperforate hymen and vulvar vestibulitis as other options. however i should also note that none of these are mutually exclusive, vaginismus and atrophy often go hand in hand for example, i just wanted to offer some potential other breadcrumb trails if this one doesn't get you where you need to go lol

got a good grade in physical therapy because i ordered a sex toy life is fun

[spoonie-living]

[Image: a person in pink fitness gear does a stretch with a blank look on their face. They ponder the question, “What the heck is Whole Body Vibration????” Credit: Nathan Cowley]

What The Heck Is Whole Body Vibration?

So this was a new one on me: vibrating platforms for better health.

Honestly, even without getting more information, I was kind of already down for this. Something about full-body vibrations sounded so dang soothing.

And I was right! This sort of thing feels so nice, and has both science-backed and my-own-experience-backed health benefits. Standing and stretching on these things helped kick my joints into better alignment and probably helped with my POTS. Plus... I got to buzz for a while.

Read on for more info on this exercise technique, and my experience!

❤️, Editor Diane

Note (Jan. 2019) - If you’re near Portland, OR, there’s a place in inner NE, BodyQuirks, where you can try this for free like I did! And if you like it, consider getting a membership to support these folks; they need more members before the end of February in order to stay open and keep those machines available.

And no, this isn’t a sponsored post; I just really liked this and want to share and support them ☺️

I went into my vibration experience led by an enthusiastic friend, who told me it had made an enormous difference in her recovery from a traumatic head injury and some of the resulting chronic pain.

She told me this stuff has been researched by NASA, may help you get the benefits of exercise without as much work, and have produced some pretty miraculous results in certain patients---one adherent swears up and down that her mother’s Alzheimer’s improved significantly from daily use.

I was skeptical, but since buzzy stuff appealed to me anyway---and I do, after all, run a chronic illness and disability blog---I decided I should definitely give it a go!

Something you should know, and that I kinda figured, before going in: Whole Body Vibration (whole body vibration) is somewhat disputed. It’s not that it hasn’t been shown to help people (it has), but due to the varied ways one can practice it, the different conditions it’s been tested for, and the fact that it’s just a pretty new idea, results have been quite mixed. Here’s an article that breaks down the details of the inconclusive research.

Also, a caution: take it easy on this stuff, do your research, and talk to your doctor! Among other things, constant or frequent vibration is considered an industrial hazard, so you definitely don’t want to overdo it. Here are some things to keep in mind as you decide if regular vibration is right for you.

So all that said, it’s gonna be a hit or miss for you lovely readers. But as you may know with alternative treatments: when it’s a hit, it’s a hit. And it sure was for me!

I got a warm welcome from the gal at the front desk, who was also one of the folks who runs the studio. She gave me a whole tour of the machines and plenty of interesting anecdotes. Then she pointed me towards a “walking” machine and got me started, saying this would give me some of the benefits of walking without actually... walking.

The platform vibrated back and forth in a stepping motion (left side down, right side up; right down, left up), and I worked to keep my balance (that’s a tough one on this machine) while chatting with her and one of the gym members. The environment was really friendly and relaxed, and the clientele seemed to be mostly folks with chronic conditions or injuries.

As I stood, I found that lowering my center of gravity kind of changed where I felt the vibration the most, and engaged different muscles. As someone with joint hypermobility, I immediately liked that: engaging my muscles can often realign my joints, and I could feel things ever so slightly slipping back into place as the minutes passed. That immediately put me on cloud nine, because although I’ve found ways to kick some of my joints back into place, I definitely haven’t found the trick for all of ‘em.

It also occurred to me that this could be great for my POTS, since doctors literally tell you to bounce up and down, cross and uncross, and otherwise engage your leg muscles to improve circulation. Maybe that’s why vibrating sounded so viscerally delicious to me.

We moved to different machines, flat platforms where I got to try just sitting and lying down---both nice, and both engaging different muscles to different intensities. I tried a few PT exercises, wondering if their effects would be heightened since my muscles were going to be more mobilized. Inconclusive for me, but it sounds like, anecdotally, it can make a big impact on recovery.

One machine, which was programmed to move through different vibration speeds and muscle groups, was kind of weird: it did something bizarre to my pelvic floor, which felt like a big, full-pelvis yawn. I have a lot of weird muscle stuff going on there after a nasty run with vestibulodynia, so I’m not surprised. It wasn’t bad, though, and I wondered if my muscles were engaging in a healthy way for once in their ding-danged lives.

Speaking of pelvic floor stuff, one of my fun issues in this life is poor bladder control, so I wanna warn you: you get too much targeted vibes, and you’re gonna feel real concerned real fast. I felt like some muscles were relaxing a little too much, and got a couple of leaks and threats of worse. So be careful with that one.

All in all? I really loved it. If I lived closer, I would be going decently often and considering getting a membership. For me, it was kind of like going to one of the local spas (i.e., public hot tubs): feels nice, good for my health issues, a little spendy and more on the self-care side of things than some of my Vital Health Expenditures.

So I do fully recommend it: in fact, I passed it on to a couple people and several of my doctors. And now I’m here telling you about it!

As with most alternative or less-researched treatments, the info out there varies wildly in quality. I dug through and found a few decent articles for you to check out:

Whole-Body Vibration and Blood Flow and Muscle Oxygenation: A Meta-Analysis (Games, et. al.)

Six weeks of whole-body vibration exercise improves pain and fatigue in women with fibromyalgia (Alentorn-Geli, et. al.)

Whole-body vibration may be as effective as regular exercise in mice (The Endocrine Society)

And finally, if this isn’t something you can try out locally, one reader says they have and are happy with this home model.

[vvstories]

My Vestibulitis Story

I started this blog with the intention of sharing my story, as well as the stories of other women suffering from pelvic pain conditions like vulvar vestibulitis syndrome and vulvodynia.

I got married almost two years ago. I expected the first couple of times we had sex to be painful. What I didn’t expect was for it to continue to be painful, to cry when we had sex, to dread when my husband would ask. I scheduled an appointment to see my gynecologist a month after we got married, but he was booked and I went to see a PA at the office instead. She suggested to try other positions, to get some lube, and relax. Make sure you’re getting enough foreplay. Don’t clench your muscles. 

Her suggestions helped a bit, but definitely not a lot. For the first year and a half of our marriage, we had sex once a month, if that. I avoided it. I was tired, or too busy, or didn’t feel good. 

The pain got worse. No amount of lube helped. My husband got worried when I finally told him I didn’t like sex because it hurt. Under his insistence, I scheduled an appointment with my actual gynecologist. I had to wait a few weeks. I was scared he’d tell me the same things the PA had said, or that I needed counseling. 

When I had my appointment, my gynecologist listened to my complaints, nodded, and said, “Sex should be fun. The pain doesn’t make it fun, am I right?” I felt a little relieved that at least he was taking my symptoms seriously. He examined me without a speculum, and within a few seconds of looking, he said, “I know what’s going on.” I feared what he was going to say, but he took a Q-tip and touched just inside my vulva. The pain was terrible.

He diagnosed me with vulvar vestibulitis. I was overjoyed to have an answer, and not just advice. He put me on a low oxalate diet and gave me some lidocaine to use for sex. I got some relief, but wasn’t happy with it yet. I saw him four more times over the course of six months. I changed birth control, I started five new medicines, I continued the diet. I learned pretzels were a trigger. I learned soap was a trigger. I learned more about my angry vagina than I ever thought I would.

Finally, after six months, my husband and I went for our essentially monthly “let’s see if it hurts this month” try. And it didn’t. I had no pain. For the first time I was able to have sex with absolutely zero pain.

Since then I’ve seen my gynecologist again. He let me off the low oxalate diet, and he asked if I was happy. I told him I was. “Good. If you’re happy, I’m happy. If you’re not happy, we’ll make changes.” It felt good to be validated, to feel like I had a role in my care. 

If you have pain during sex, don’t let any healthcare professional tell you to relax, or to use more lube. While those things are helpful they don’t reach the underlying problem. 

Please send in your stories! Let’s spread the knowledge about pelvic pain disorders in women.

[woofbyte]

Commissions are open!

Please help me afford my medication.

Hi guys, so I recently was prescribed some medication that might help me, but I am currently unable to afford it. I’m opening commissions briefly to help subsidize the cost a little. The total cost is $80 for both medications, so I’ll be closing commissions again as soon as I get close enough to that amount that I can go pick it up.

Sketches and icons are PWYW, but Fulls (the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th examples) are minimum $15. 

https://www.paypal.me/Katiki

Please message me before if you’re concerned about me drawing something specific or unusual! I typically only draw canines and have little experience with anthro, but I’m willing to try anything thrown at me.

If you can’t commission, boosts are very very much appreciated. Thanks guys!

[aspieloser]

Thinking about sex in detail makes me so upset I can’t do this shit anymore I hate being reminded of what I’m missing out on I’m so fucking lame and broken