Struggling with pelvic pain or intimacy? Take this 3-minute quiz to understand what your body is telling you. → Take the Quiz
Vulvodynia is chronic pain of the vulva lasting three months or more without a clear identifiable cause. Vestibulodynia is a specific type of vulvodynia where the pain is localized to the vestibule, the tissue surrounding the vaginal opening.
Women with vulvodynia often describe burning, stinging, rawness, or soreness that can be constant or triggered by touch, pressure, or friction. The pain can make sex agonizing, sitting uncomfortable, and everyday activities like wearing certain clothing unbearable.
If you have been tested for infections and nothing was found, if you have tried creams and medications without lasting relief, if you have been told there is nothing wrong, vulvodynia may be the answer. And pelvic floor therapy is a recommended first-line approach with growing evidence of benefit.
Vulvodynia is a chronic vulvar pain condition with neuromuscular, neurological, and hormonal components. The nerves in the vulvar region have become sensitized, meaning they send pain signals in response to stimuli that should not be painful.
Contributing factors can include pelvic floor muscle tension (which compresses and irritates nerves), a history of repeated infections or irritation, hormonal changes, genetic predisposition to nerve sensitivity, and central sensitization (the brain amplifying pain signals).
Understanding what is driving your pain is important because it points directly to the solution: calming the nervous system and releasing the pelvic floor muscles.
At Hope For Your Pelvis, I address both the nerve sensitivity and the muscle tension that fuel vulvodynia. Your plan is built around your specific symptoms, history, and goals.
Sessions focus on:
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You do not need to keep managing this alone. You do not need another provider who cannot find anything wrong. And you do not need to accept that this is just how your body is.
Yes. Many women experience meaningful improvement, less pain, more comfort, and a return to the activities and intimacy they have been avoiding. Some achieve complete resolution. The key is working with someone who understands this condition and builds a plan around your specific experience.
Vulvodynia is typically diagnosed when vulvar pain has lasted 3+ months and other causes (infections, skin conditions, etc.) have been ruled out. A cotton swab test at the vestibule is a common diagnostic tool.
I specialize exclusively in pelvic floor dysfunction and sexual pain. Every session is 1:1, virtual, and built around your specific symptoms and goals — not a generic protocol.
No. I do not accept or bill insurance. This allows me to give you my full, undivided attention in every session, no visit limits, no rushed appointments, and no outside entity shaping your care.
Painful sex is more common than many realize. Learn the causes, treatment options, and how pelvic floor therapy can help restore comfort and function.
A pelvic floor therapist explains the real reasons sex can be painful and what your body may be trying to tell you.
