I never had any issues with sex or felt any abnormal pain until I was 25 years old. when I met my boyfriend (who became my husband:))​ I got familiar with this pain for the first time. When we started dating 4.5 years ago I experienced pain that was followed by a burning feeling and difficulty in urination.  My doctor prescribed me antibiotics but the problem did not stop. For 3 months I have tried different medications, creams, ointments and examinations. 

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At the same time, sex became very stressful. Since the problem began when with the relationship, my boyfriend was afraid that it was psychological and not physiological.

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Three months later I got a positive result for a sexually transmitted bacterial infection. My boyfriend and I took treatment immediately and the infection was gone but the pain did not stop and I couldn't understand why.

 

After many communication difficulties with my doctor that I had to fax her every question (such as am I allowed to have oral sex during the antibiotic treatment), I realized that I must find a different gynaecologist, it took a few months till I got to Dr Liora Abramov who had been very pleasant, inviting, and professional. I felt that I can talk about everything with her. Dr Abramov diagnosed vestibulodynia and told me that there are solutions. She assumed that the combination of the infection and the stress of so many months developed muscle tension. She referred me to a pelvic floor physiotherapist and prescribed ointments and anaesthetics.

The lovely physiotherapist helped me understand the contraction and release of my pelvic muscles and slowly I could feel an improvement but it was not enough.

 

I couldn't persist with the physiotherapy practice as I was in the course of very hectic studying. Meanwhile, 2 years passed by and I was still afraid of sex, afraid of failing in it and letting my boyfriend down. My boyfriend was afraid that I am not attracted to him, and not interested in sex. It became a big knot of fear, discomfort, pain and avoidance.

 

After a serious conversation with my boyfriend, I went back to Dr Abramov who said that I neglected practising and the area, which made me decide that I am going to solve this thing. I went to physiotherapy again and got another ointment but the big punch was her referral to the wonderful Orit Zilberman.

 

I did not have experience with complementary medicine before and was quite a sceptic, but I trusted Dr Abramov so I gave full trust in Orit from the first moment. Orit was a caregiver in the full sense of the word, she asked accurate questions with attention to every aspect, and gave personal care. She taught me that our body is one whole, therefore during the treatment we worked on other parts such as my ankle pain, nausea etc. 

 

For 4 months I visited Orit and the physiotherapist regularly and followed their instructions. The treatment was one of my first priorities and gradually, the pain during sexual intercourse faded.

 

Along the whole way, Orit was professional, understanding, empathetic and always had some kind of response to my questions. Thanks to Orit I have learned so much about my body, my menstruation, pelvic floor area, and the connection between body and mind. I could finally reduce the pain almost completely, but even when it shows, I know how to deal with it and don't let it run my life.