vulvodynia

vulvodynia Chronic pain in the area of the female vulva. The main symptom is pain, usually a burning irritation or rawness of the genitals. The pain may be constant or intermittent, localized or diffuse. It can last for months or longer, and it can vanish as suddenly as it started. The cause of vulvodynia is unknown. Many women with vulvodynia have a history of treatment for recurrent vaginal fungal infections. Treatments can include the use of drugs, use of nerve blocks to numb the vulvar nerves, and biofeedback therapy to relax pelvic muscles. See also vulvitis; yeast vulvitis.