your safe and supportive space for healing

Pelvic Physical Therapy for vulvodynia & vestibulodynia

Are you feeling a ‘rug burn’ sensation at the entrance of your vagina?

If you have felt discomfort at the entrance of the vagina you may be experiencing vestibulodynia. Vestibulodynia may also cause you to have:

  • Decreased satisfaction in intimate relationships due to discomfort at the entrance of the vagina

  • Difficulty working without being interrupted with urge urination

  • Inability or discomfort wearing  jeans – the seam that holds the two legs together hurts

  • Feeling like you have just one drop left after you urinate/feeling like you’re not urinating completely

Our Pasadena pelvic floor physical therapy clinic is dedicated to providing you with the help you need to relieve your pelvic floor dysfunction. Make an appointment with The Pelvic Model today to get started on the path toward recovery!

What is the vulva?

The vulva is external female genitalia. It includes:

  • Mons pubis: tissue located directly in front of the pubic bones, and this is usually covered in pubic hair.

  • Vulvar vestibule: located between the labia minora and below the clitoris. This structure contains the vaginal opening and the urethral opening.

  • Labia majora and minora: the larger and smaller lips surrounding the vestibule.

  • Prepuce or clitoral hood: The skin surrounding the clitoris.

  • Clitoris: homologous to the glans penis in males, and contains erectile tissue. 

This is not to be mistaken for the vagina, which is internal female genitalia with the function primarily for sexual intercourse and childbirth.

What is vulvodynia?

The current definition that the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD) uses for vulvodynia, that was defined by Bornstein in 2016 is:

  • Vulvar pain of at least 3 months duration, without a clear identifiable cause, which may have potential associated factors.

  • It is a diagnosis of exclusion.

  • It is an idiopathic pain disorder.

Those who suffer from vulvodynia could have pain upon first introital touch (primary provoked vulvodynia) or they could first have pain-free touch in the introitus that then becomes painful later in life (secondary provoked vestibulodynia). 

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has funded 3 populations to be studied that shows the prevalence of vulvodynia is 3-7% in reproductive-aged women, and approximately 7% of American women will have symptoms of vulvodynia by age 40.

Things to Consider:

  • Neuroproliferative (acquired or congenital) vestibulodynia

  • Infectious disease 

  • Inflammatory disease 

  • Neoplastic disorders

  • Neurologic disorders

  • Hormonal deficiencies

  • Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction

It can be overwhelming navigating the internet and even the medical field when trying to address your vulvodynia and/or vestibulodynia. However, the expert pelvic therapists at The Pelvic Model are able to help you out. Contact us at (323) 403-0234 or click here to make an appointment today.

How pelvic floor physical therapy helps vulvodynia and/or vestibulodynia:

Pelvic floor physical therapy is studied to be an effective treatment against primary or secondary vulvodynia or vestibulodynia. Those with vulvodynia have been shown to have high incidence of pelvic floor muscle dysfunction in which they have increased pelvic floor muscle tone as well as poor muscle coordination and relaxation. With pelvic floor physical therapy, your clinician can look into these factors of your pelvic floor as well as external factors (factors beyond the pelvic floor musculature and neural structures) that contribute to pain and/or dysfunction.

The Pelvic Model Can Help You Live Comfortably And Free Of Vulvodynia and/or Vestibulodynia

At The Pelvic Model we understand that symptoms of vulvodynia/vestibulodynia can be confusing, and it can be frustrating finding the help you need. However, we can help you navigate through your healing journey. Call us today at (323) 403-0234 to inquire more or click here to schedule an appointment.