Depressed Vagina

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Welcome to Ravishly, where we celebrate the mess of being human. A community for sharing what makes us tick, what ticks us off, plus pictures of our dogs (or cats – inclusivity is important). We laugh. We cry. We do it all together.
The consequences of vulvodynia can be devastating; physically, mentally and emotionally.
This article first appeared on SHE'SAID' and has been republished with permission.
Devotees of Sex And The City will probably remember the iconic episode where Charlotte proclaims she has a depressed vagina.
To Carrie and Miranda’s bewilderment, their gal pal emotively explains over lunch she’s been diagnosed with vulvodynia, for which her gyno unexpectedly prescribed her an antidepressant, and asked her to chronicle her symptoms.
“Every day I have to keep a vagina journal,” she explains.
“A “Dear Vagina, why so blue?” kind of journal?” Miranda mocks.
But despite its comical depiction in the show, vulvodynia is no laughing matter.
Charlotte’s depressed vagina brought some much needed attention to a serious health condition that affects roughly 16 percent of women, mostly between the ages of 18 and 25, though more mature women aren’t immune.
Though it’s far less well known, vulvodynia is more common than endometriosis and breast cancer . Its biggest PR problem? Up until recent decades, the condition was largely regarded as a problem that only existed in a woman’s mind .
“Women have gone to the doctor with symptoms, the doctor has found the vulva looks quite normal, and women have been labeled as psychologically disturbed,” says Vulva Disorders Unit at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne director, Dr Ross Pagano.
Even today, it’s extremely difficult to diagnose vulvodynia. There’s no specific test — the only reliable means of determining its existence is to rule out alternative conditions like thrush or eczema. It’s a process of elimination not all doctors are as familiar with, which is why the average sufferer visits as many as seven different doctors before she gets the correct diagnosis.
The consequences of vulvodynia can be devastating; physically, mentally and emotionally. Its a health issue that has far-reaching and profound effects on everything from a woman’s intimate relationships to her career and self-esteem; so it’s time to talk about it and have a serious look at the signs and symptoms…
Before finding out her vagina was depressed, SATC ‘s Charlotte thought she had a yeast infection . This misdiagnosis isn’t uncommon, as one of the hallmark signs of the condition includes itchiness; a typical side effect of thrush.
So how can you tell the difference between a thrush outbreak or a case of vulvodynia, then? Look at your discharge . If it’s thick, white and cottage cheese-like, it’s probably a yeast infection. But if things look as peachy as ever downstairs, and you’re madly itching, it’s likely to be a vulvodynia-related nerve problem.
Surprisingly, the prescription for an antidepressant is a common solution to this uncomfortable symptom.
“It’s not clear why antidepressants work for some women, but they do,” says OBGYN, Sherry Ross, M.D.
Vulvodynia is also known as ‘Burning Vulva Syndrome’, for good reason. A burning sensation is the most common symptom, and can range in extremity from a little stinging, to being described as “having acid poured on my skin” or constant, shooting “knife-like pain”, as in the words of diagnosed patients.
Seventy-five per cent of women with vulvodynia attest to feeling ‘out of control’ in their bodies due to this painful symptom, which often occurs without any other associated symptoms and at completely random times, making it near impossible to properly investigate, and incredibly frustrating for the sufferer.
For some vulvodynia patients, the vulva can feel constantly sore. It may be a general aching throughout the day, or a more acute throbbing pain brought on by sex that lasts for several hours afterward.
Sometimes specific parts of the vulva may additionally become inflamed and swollen, though more often than not, things will appear ‘normal’ for sufferers, despite intense bouts of pain and discomfort. This is the main reason why vulvodynia is so difficult to diagnose. It’s a nerve condition, not a skin irritation, infection or sexually transmitted disease. So when a doctor does an initial examination, everything may come back clear. But if soreness persists for more than a couple of weeks and tests don’t turn up results, it’s a surefire sign you should seek the advice of a specialist well-versed in vulvodynia, like a gyno.
The vulva is already a sensitive area. There are a lot of nerve endings down there, which is the whole reason why sex feels so good. But the type of sensitivity that comes from vulvodynia is not helping any lady get laid.
With vulvodynia, the nerve endings are usually damaged or irritated and go into overdrive, hence the feeling of being on fire. But it can also feel raw and hypersensitive to anything touching or rubbing around the area. This automatically cancels out all exercise (especially spin class). Forget about tampons and chunky pads; or even pants and underwear for that matter. Some women even struggle to sit down for a long period of time, causing them to quit their jobs. A depressed vagina can literally lead to becoming a depressed person when the symptoms are severe.
There isn’t one known cause of vulvodynia, or a set amount time for how long it lasts. It can drop in unannounced, and stay forever or may come and go temporarily. What is certain though, is that it will hurt for as long as it hangs around, so it’s essential not to ignore the symptoms and seek treatment as soon as you notice something’s up.
There is some proof that a woman is born with more nerve endings in between her legs, and if they become damaged – whether through sex, childbirth, or exposure to various vaginal infections – it can trigger this condition.
“It’s known that women who get vestibulodynia – the commonest form of vulvodynia which occurs just inside the vagina – are born with a much higher concentration of nerve endings in the vulva vestibule than the average woman,” says Dr Pagano .
Another reason why vulvodynia can be so difficult to diagnose is because it doesn’t always hurt in one spot (much less the same spot) for all women.
For some, the pain is localized to just the vagina, but for others, the entire vulva region hurts. But it doesn’t just stop there. Patients have reported the symptoms affecting areas ranging from the clitoris to the anus, and even the inner thighs.
There aren’t many things more depressing than not being able to sex, or have it at all. It’s a basic part of human life. But for women with a depressed vagina, sex avoidance can become a grim reality.
“Most of the patients I see can’t have intercourse at all, and many have not for years,” explains Dr Pagano .
Ironically, one of the best ways to prevent vulvodynia is with sex, according to OBGYN and medical director of Women’s Healthcare of Princeton, Maria Sophocles, M.D.
“Sex promotes healthy collagen and elastin cells, and maintains the flow of blood to the area.”
If these symptoms sound too familiar to you, it’s time to get it checked out. If not, it’s time to get busy to keep your hoo-hah happy, not depressed.
Images via tumblr.com and giphy.com.
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Is Your Vagina Depressed? Symptoms of Vulvodynia and How To Treat It

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Your vagina doesn’t really get moody, but it can suffer from vulvodynia…
Vulvodynia is commonly known as a depressed vagina. But depression is a mood disorder, and since vaginas do not have moods of their own, they cannot get depressed.
While sexual dysfunction and pain disorder in the pelvic area can certainly cause depression in women, the closest thing to an actually depressed vagina is vulvodynia. It is even often treated with antidepressants.
Vulvodynia is characterized as a chronic pain or discomfort in the vagina, specifically in areas around the opening. It has no identifiable cause and can last up to three months.
The pain associated with vulvodynia can be so severe that activities such as sitting down and sex can be uncomfortable.
Vulvodynia can come as a result of several factors such as trauma like childbirth or surgery. Other factors include infection like vulval candidiasis, inflammation, irritation, hormone imbalances, anxiety, or neurological dysfunctions.
As early as in their teen years, women may develop vulvodynia, and it may also develop later in life. The number of women estimated to have vulvodynia in the United States range up to 7,000,000.
The primary symptom of vulvodynia is pain and discomfort in the vulva that lasts for at least three months. It can be characterized as any of the following:
These symptoms can be both constant or occasional, and may only occur when the vulva is touched. The pain may cover the whole area of the vulva or only a certain area.
The muscles and tissues in the vulva may also look and feel slightly swollen, but in some cases, it can look normal despite the pain.
What Is Dyspareunia? A recurring and/or persistent genital pain that occurs during sexual intercourse.
The idea of a vagina being depressed enough to be prescribed antidepressant medication has stuck and entered the popular lexicon through TV shows in the 90s.
But the truth is, while many women who are depressed may also suffer from vulvodynia, but they aren’t mutually exclusive.
Vulvodynia may lead to someone feeling depressed. It can also be the other way around, that someone may be depressed but don’t suffer from vulvodynia at all.
Just because antidepressants can treat some cases of vulvodynia doesn’t mean a vagina is suffering from depression. The tricyclic nature of some antidepressants simply helps modulate a patient’s nervous system, which can decrease the pain felt in the pelvic area.
Patients are diagnosed on the basis of their medical history and symptoms. A doctor may order culture lab tests to rule out infection.
A doctor may also perform a swab test, where cotton swabs are applied lightly around the vulva. The patient will then be asked to rate the pain level.
A visual examination of the vulva may also be performed. Physical examinations to palpate pelvic floor muscles can also help in the diagnosis.
Many women who suffer from vulvodynia believe that they will have to deal with their pain and symptoms forever. Some also believe that pain will prevent them from engaging in sexual activities ever again.
The truth is that there are many treatment options for patients suffering from vulvodynia.
Treatment options for vulvodynia can help women live with lesser pain and symptoms and allow them to resume sexual activities without worrying about pain.
Treatments for vulvodynia may involve any of the following:
Vulvodynia also isn’t a simple gynecological condition, as there are still no answers to what actually causes it. This could mean visiting a number of specialists, such as gynecologists, neurologists, dermatologists, urogynecologists, physical therapists, and even psychologists.
Treatments for vulvodynia are not meant to address its source but to alleviate symptoms and moderate the pain. As such, there is not one single treatment for vulvodynia, so it may take time to find the right combination of treatment options.
Being sexually active is a personal decision and does not factor in whether a woman may or may not risk vulvodynia. It can only be a problem if a patient wants to be sexually active but is hindered by the persistent pain of vulvodynia.
Vulvodynia may not mean your lady parts are getting depressed, but it’s a serious medical concern nonetheless. Patients suffering from vulvodynia can be in so much pain that they can even have a hard time sitting down!
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, talk to your sexual health doctor as soon as possible.
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Vulvodynia is a painful and frustrating condition, but it can be treated.
Vulvodynia is a painful and frustrating condition, but it can be treated.
Most people who own a vagina are aware that they have moods. Vaginal moods are usually confined to a “come hither” or “go thither” type mood, however there is one barely spoken of and often misunderstood mood – depression.
Yep, a depressed vagina, or vulvoldynia to be precise.
And a depressed vagina suffers from acute pain and burning for no apparent reason.
Until recently many doctors didn’t recognise this as a real disorder, however Head of Vulva Disorders Unit at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne, Dr Ross Pagano, intimately understands the mystery that is this exquisitely painful disorder.
“Vulvodynia is defined by vulva pain, soreness, irritation where there is no pathology. Basically, it’s a hypersensitivity of the vulva. The problem in the past is that women have gone to the doctor with these symptoms, doctors find the vulva looks quite normal and the women have been labeled psychologically disturbed and are sent to a sex therapist,” say Dr Pagano.
Vulvodynia, also known as burning vulva syndrome, is not a sexual or hormonal issue, nor is it psychological, however left untreated it is certainly enough to drive you to the brink of despair, and depression of the entire body and mind may ensue.
The vulva has more nerve endings than any other area of the body and vulvodynia occurs when the nerves endings go into overdrive. It may be triggered after sex without adequate lubrication, following a case of thrush or even childbirth but once those pesky little nerve endings are on fire your ultra-painful vagina is virtually untouchable.
Sex is out, tampons are out and you can forget about riding a bike.
“It is known that women who get vestibulodynia (the commonest form of vulvodynia which occurs just inside the vagina) are born with a much higher concentration of nerve endings in the vulva vestibule than the average woman. If those nerve endings are damaged, off they go with this incredible discomfort,” says Dr Pagano. “Most of the patients I see can’t have intercourse at all, and many have not for years.”
Although getting a diagnosis may be tricky, thankfully once the condition is recognised there is a high success rate for making your melancholy vagina ecstatic once more, about 90 per cent says Doctor Pagano.
“The first thing we do is put the patient onto a drug that is an antidepressant. It’s a drug that they discovered was useless for depression but it was very good for nerve pain,” says Dr Pagano.
If your glum vagootz doesn’t respond to the antidepressant, physiotherapy can yield positive results and, in worst case scenarios, a simple operation removing the small part of the vulva where the hymen sat can alleviate the issue. But treatment can only begin once you finally understand why your pants are on fire.
“The biggest thing I find, is being able to give women a diagnosis,” says Dr Pagano. “She may have experienced pain for no apparent reason for years and seen other doctors. Sometimes women wonder if they can’t be helped. The relief, the joy, that many women feel at just knowing that someone understands what is happening to her is often one of the happiest moments.”
The journey from a dispirited vajayjay to being happy as a clam may only be a doctor’s trip away so if you think you’re harbouring a depressed vagina in your undies, get on the happy juice and get back
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