Vulvodynia (also called vulvar vestibulitis syndrome) is pain in the vulva (i.e., the external genitals in women, particularly the tissue around the opening of the vagina). Symptoms and possible causes of vulvodynia are discussed in our our Q&A called Vulvodynia (Pain in the Vulva).
A variety of ways to manage and treat vulvodynia are available, including the following self-care, naturopathic, homeopathic, and psychological approaches:[1-4]
• Achieve and maintain and healthy body mass index (i.e., ratio of weight to height),
• Eat a healthy diet that is abundant in freshly-caught, cold-water fish; rice; fresh, organic vegetables other than spinach and beets; fresh, organic fruits other than berries; and healthy fats.
• Enjoy foods containing soy, as soy contains phytoestrogens, plant substances that can mimic some of the effects of estrogen on the body,
• Do not eat non-organically raised meat and poultry and non-organic dairy products.
• If you eat meat, poultry, and dairy products, select organically-raised meat and poultry and organic dairy products, such as organic unsweetened yogurt.
• To lower the amount of calcium oxalate in the urine, eat a diet that is low in oxalate. For example, avoid eating high oxalate foods, such as spinach and beets, peanuts, berries, and chocolate. Consult your integrative medical physician and nutritionist for guidance.
• To help prevent yeast infections, limit your intake of dried fruits, fruit juice, candy, pastries, pies, cakes, cookies, and ice cream.
• Avoid drinking beverages containing caffeine, chocolate, and/or alcohol.
• Drink lots of water.
• Do not smoke cigarettes.
• Take oral supplements taking vitamin A, E and calcium citrate. Consult your integrative medical physician for guidance on doses that are appropriate for treatment of vulvodynia.
• To help reduce vulvodynia, take oral supplements containing N-acetylglucosamine.
• Take oral supplements containing soy isoflavones and/or black cohosh. These botanical supplements contain phytoestrogens, which can mimic some of the effects of estrogen on the body. Consult your integrative medical physician for guidance on the dose that is appropriate for you.
• To help prevent yeast infections of the vagina, avoid using commercial deodorants for the vagina and commercial douches, as these products can destroy healthy bacteria in the vagina.
• Wear underpants made of cotton, rather than nylon.
• Avoid wearing pantyhose for long periods of time.
• Wear clothes that are loose-fitting in the pelvic area.
• Insert suppositories of vitamin A, vitamin E, calendula, or other types of soothing herbal suppositories designed for vaginal use into your vagina. For example, vitamin E, has lubricating, soothing, and healing properties. If you are allergic to glycerin, do not use suppositories containing glycerin. If you are using latex condoms during intercourse later, do not use suppositories containing calendula oil or glycerin, as these components can cause disintegration of latex condoms.
• Apply a 1:1 mixture of vitamin E, which has lubricating, soothing, and healing properties, and either a water-soluble lubricant for the vagina, calendula oil, or petroleum jelly to your vulva and the inside of your vagina. If you are using latex condoms during intercourse, use either pure vitamin E or a 1:1 mixture of vitamin E and a water-soluble lubricant, as the calendula oil or petroleum jelly can cause disintegration of latex condoms. If you are allergic to glycerin present in water-soluble lubricants, use either pure vitamin E or a 1:1 mixture of vitamin E and either calendula oil or petroleum jelly. Consult with your integrative medical physician for guidance on the dose of vitamin E that is appropriate for you.
• If you have rawness of the labia and vulva and you do not have a yeast infection, apply calendula cream to the external vulva and external labia.
• Take a homeopathic remedy orally, such as Argentum nitricum, Arsenicum album, Aurum metallicum, Natrum muriaticum, Platinum metallicum, Pulsatilla, sarcodes, Sepia, Staphysagria, Sulfur, and Thuja. Consult with a homeopath, a healthcare professional experienced in the use of homeopathy for guidance on selection of the homeopathic remedy and dose that is appropriate for you.
• Exercise regularly.
• Perform yoga postures that involve pelvic motion to increase circulation of blood and channel energy into the pelvic area.
• Build and maintain warm relationships with family and friends.
• Joining a support group of women with vulvodynia can be helpful.
• Work with a psychologist or psychiatrist to resolve possible issues about past history of sexual abuse, negative attitudes towards sex, disappointments with past romantic partners, or problems with your spouse or current romantic partner.
• With your spouse or current romantic partner, explore counseling with a psychologist or sex therapist.
• With your spouse or current romantic partner, practice safe sex and enjoy sexual practices other than or in addition to vaginal intercourse.
• If you are not currently in a romantic relationship and seeking a new partner, select a person who is patient, understanding, caring, and gentle.
If, despite the self-care, naturopathic, homeopathic, and psychological approaches above, you are experiencing recurrent yeast infections of the vagina, consult your integrative medical physician and gynecologist to discuss:
• Other naturopathic approaches (e.g., taking botanical, anti-inflammatory supplements of pharmaceutical grade or using detoxification methods) for vaginal yeast infections
• Medical treatment options (e.g., anti-fungal medications) for vaginal yeast infections
If, despite the self-care, naturopathic, homeopathic, and psychological approaches discussed above, you still are experiencing vulvodynia, consult your integrative medical physician and gynecologist to discuss whether any of the following types of medical treatment are appropriate for you to consider:
• Treatment with bio-identical hormones
• Medications that affect serotonin (a neurotransmitter)
• Anti-depressant medications
If despite the self-care, naturopathic, homeopathic, psychological, and medical approaches discussed above, you still are experiencing vulvodynia, consult your gynecologist to discuss whether any surgical treatment of the vestibular gland is appropriate for you to consider. Even after surgery, however, some women still experience vulvodynia.
REFERENCES
1. J Reichenberg-Ullman. Whole Woman Homeopathy. 2004. Edmonds, WA: Picnic Point Press.
2. I Ikenze. Menopause & Homeopathy: A Guide for Women at Midlife. 1998. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.
3. C. Solomons. Low oxolate treatment. Accessed at
www.vulvarpainfoundation.org/low_oxolate_treatment.htm.
4. Vulvar Pain Foundation. It usually takes more than a diet. in The Low Oxalate Cookbook. 1997. Accessed at www.vulvarpainfoundation.org./vpf_cbexcerpt.htm.
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