Vulvodynia & Chronic Vulvar Pain

Pain in the vulva or pain during sexual intercourse is far more common than most women realize.
For some women, this pain becomes persistent and is diagnosed as vulvodynia — chronic pain in the external genital area, without a clear medical cause.

Vulvodynia can affect women of any age and often has a deep impact not only on the body, but also on emotional well-being, relationships, and self-esteem.

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Common symptoms

Vulvodynia may present in different ways:

• Burning, stinging, rawness, itching, or sharp pain in the vulva

• Pain at the vaginal opening (vestibule), also called vestibulodynia

• Pain during sexual intercourse

• Pain when inserting a tampon

• Pain from tight clothing, sitting, cycling, or prolonged pressure

• In some cases, pain even without touch

 

The pain may be:

• Provoked (only with contact)

• Unprovoked (appearing spontaneously)

 

Primary and secondary vulvodynia

• Primary vulvodynia: pain is present from the first sexual experience

• Secondary vulvodynia: pain develops later, after a period without pain

Secondary vulvodynia may sometimes appear after vaginal infections (fungal, bacterial, viral), irritation, or inflammation — even if those issues were treated.

 

The emotional impact

Almost always, chronic vulvar pain affects much more than the body.

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Many women describe:

• Shame or guilt

• Feeling “damaged” or “broken”

• Fear of intimacy

• Strain in relationships

• Anxiety about future sexuality or fertility

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Sadly, many women also report not being taken seriously or being told that “nothing is wrong,” which can increase distress even further.

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What causes vulvodynia?

According to Western medicine, the exact cause of vulvodynia is still unknown. However, it is often associated with other pain conditions, such as painful bladder syndrome, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and temporomandibular disorders, which may influence or trigger symptoms.

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Common treatment approaches may include:

• Pelvic floor physiotherapy

• Sex therapy

• Biofeedback

• Topical medications or anesthetics

• Pain management strategies

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These approaches can help some women, but not all experience sufficient relief.

Research into acupuncture as a supportive treatment has shown promising results.

 

My clinical experience

In 2007, during my first conversation with Dr. Liora Abramov, former head of the sex therapy clinic at Lis Maternity Hospital in Tel Aviv, she expressed deep concern about the lack of effective solutions for women suffering from vulvodynia.

That conversation marked the beginning of my in-depth clinical work with this condition.

Since then, I have treated hundreds of women with vulvodynia and chronic vulvar pain.In most cases, women experienced significant improvement, and in some cases the pain decreased to a level that allowed normal daily and intimate activities.

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How I work

Each treatment begins with a personal diagnosis, taking into account physical symptoms, emotional factors, medical history, and lifestyle.

Treatment may include:

• Chinese acupuncture

• Individually prescribed herbal formulas

• Lifestyle guidance (nutrition, stress regulation, movement)

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The treatment is non-intimate:
I do not needle the genital area. All acupuncture points are located away from the vulva.

Chinese medicine treatment can be safely combined with conventional medical care.

 

Vulvodynia from a Chinese medicine perspective

In Chinese medicine, pain is understood as a sign of disrupted circulation — of energy (Qi), blood, or fluids.

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An old Chinese saying describes this simply:

When there is no flow, there is pain.

When there is flow, there is no pain.

  Huang Di Nei Jing

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Emotional stress, illness, hormonal changes, inflammation, or exhaustion can all contribute to this disruption. In some women, this imbalance manifests in the genital area.

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Treatment focuses on identifying the specific pattern involved and gently restoring balance, allowing the body’s own healing processes to resume.

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As circulation improves, pain often gradually decreases, and space for relief and breathing returns.

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Taking the next step

If you are living with vulvar pain or pain during sexual intercourse and feel that nothing has helped so far, you are not alone — and there are options worth exploring.

You are welcome to contact me for an initial consultation to discuss whether this approach may be suitable for you.

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Articles you may find helpful:

– Why Don't We Talk About Vulvar Pain

– How I Got My Like Back

– Vulvodynia - Your Pain Is Real​​​​​​​