Diagnostics

Vaginal pain, what to do?

Vaginal pain affects nearly 20% of women, regardless of age. This pain can manifest itself in different ways. It depends on the location and timing of the pain, as well as the trigger. The pain can be caused by a vaginal infection, lichen, STD, hormonal deficiency or trauma. If you live in Canada and suffer from vaginal pain, don’t hesitate to make an appointment at one of the Marois Clinics. These health professionals use revolutionary techniques to treat your pain.

The symptoms of these pains in women

Vaginal pain can be pain in the perineum, labia, vestibule, vagina, clitoris and even the anus. It can be felt at the entrance or inside the vagina. These pains are usually accompanied by itching, a burning sensation or a muscle imbalance, such as a significant increase in tone.

The pain sensation can range from discomfort to intense pain when touching the area or during sexual intercourse. A woman who suffers from vaginal pain has great difficulty wearing tight pants or underwear or riding a bicycle.

Causes of vaginal pain

The origin of vaginal pain is still unknown. However, different factors can play an important role.

Vaginitis

Vaginitis manifests itself as vulvar pain. It is usually accompanied by itching and burning of the vulva. Vaginitis can be infectious. If it is infectious, a heavy vaginal discharge is seen. It is whitish and looks like curdled milk if the vaginitis is related to a mycosis. If it is related to a parasite such as trichomonas, the vaginal discharge is grayish and smelly. If the vaginal discharge is yellowish, vaginitis is related to a bacterial infection such as mycoplasma or chlamydia. In addition to the discharge, the woman experiences pain during intercourse. It can occur during penetration or when penetration is complete.
Vaginal atrophy

Vaginal pain can also be caused by vaginal atrophy. Common in postmenopausal women, vulvovaginal atrophy is caused by an estrogen deficiency that accelerates the deterioration of vulvovaginal tissue. The most obvious signs of vaginal atrophy are intimate dryness, dyspareunia and recurrent urinary tract infections. While vaginal atrophy is very common in postmenopausal women, not all women suffer from it. Finally, the symptoms of vaginal atrophy can appear in perimenopausal women or those who smoke.
Lichen sclerosus

Lichen sclerosus is a disease that affects one woman in 1000. It is located on the clitoris, the labia minora and at the entrance to the vagina. Lichen sclerosus causes pain during vaginal penetration and has an impact on the sexual life of women who suffer from it. Although it is not sexually transmitted, it prevents many women from achieving orgasm or feeling pleasure during sex. Lichen sclerosus causes the appearance of spots of different colors, but also the disappearance of the labia minora.
Vulvodynia

This term is used to define the pain that women may experience in their genital area. The pain may be generalized or localized. Vulvodynia can occur after penetration, insertion of a tampon or rubbing of underwear. It can also occur spontaneously. Women who suffer from it feel a sensation of heat, vaginal burning and irritation. The pain is usually constant and causes fear or anxiety about having sex.
Clitoridynia

Clitoridynia is pain that occurs in the clitoris. It can be considered as a localized vulvodynia. Clitoridynia is characterized by chronic pain that lasts for more than three months. These pains can be spontaneous or provoked. The causes of clitoridynia are not known. However, according to the International Society for Sexual Medicine, it is associated with vestibulodynia, lichen sclerosus or multiple sclerosis.
Chronic pelvic pain : (vaginismus)

Vaginismus is a painful spasm in the pelvic floor muscles that makes sexual intercourse difficult. There are two forms of vaginismus: primary vaginismus and secondary vaginismus. Primary vaginismus is when the pain is present at the first penetration. As for secondary vaginismus, it is about pains that occur years later. It can start overnight with no apparent cause. Similarly, vaginismus can be caused by trauma.
Dyspareunia

These are pains that the woman feels during penetration or after it has taken place. In the case of dyspareunia, the pain can vary in intensity. It can be perceived as a simple discomfort, a sharp pain or an unbearable pain. In the case of dyspareunia, penetration is difficult or even impossible. The pain is usually located at the entrance to the vagina. However, it can be felt on the walls or in the lower abdomen.
Dermatological conditions: vestibulodynia, lichen sclerosus, etc.
Hormonal deficiencies (atrophy)
Vaginal cancer

What to do to relieve vaginal pain?

When you feel pain in your vagina, vulva or perineum, you should not suffer in silence, but make an appointment with a doctor. In this case, your problem will be analyzed to find the cause of your pain. Depending on the diagnosis, different solutions will be proposed to you.

No matter what treatment is recommended, it is important to ensure that your pelvic floor muscles are relaxed. You should make an appointment with a physiotherapist. Perineal reeducation may also help.

Possible urological treatments

To relieve vaginal pain, various urological treatments are available at the Marois Clinics. If the pain is due to lichen sclerosus, it is possible to opt for a treatment with platelet-rich plasma. This treatment consists of injections of micro-droplets of plasma into the vulvar area. When the plasma is injected under the skin, the platelets release growth factors that stimulate the dermis. It is important to know that plasma injections to treat vulvar lichen sclerosus are 100% natural. Four sessions spread over two to four weeks are usually required. Each session lasts approximately one hour. The first results are visible between three and six months after the injections.

The Marois Clinics also offer treatment for vaginal pain using radio frequency and electrostimulation. The use of devices such as the Vtone, the Plus90 or the MorpheusV8 allow us to treat problems related to weakening of the pelvic floor, vaginal atrophy or lichen sclerosus. The Vtone induces electrostimulation. As for the MorpheusV8, it uses a bipolar radiofrequency technique. These two devices help to rehabilitate weak muscles and to fight against urinary incontinence. Finally, the Plus90 helps to improve blood circulation. Opting for vulvovaginal treatment with radio frequency and electrostimulation is risk-free. It is non-invasive, non-surgical and is approved by Health Canada.

Another type of treatment offered by Les Cliniques Marois is laser treatment. Non-invasive and painless, it consists of a circumferential photothermal treatment of the mucous membrane of the vaginal wall. Choosing to undergo laser treatment for vaginal atrophy activates the production of collagen and improves the vascularization of the mucosa. The procedure is very simple and offers excellent results. In fact, only two sessions are needed to obtain clear improvements in vaginal atrophy. In general, the treatment is effective for 15 to 18 months.

At Cliniques Marois, you can also have plasma injected to treat chronic bladder or urethral pain. Opting for an intimate injection of plasma for chronic bladder or urethral pain increases circulation and regenerates tissues in the clitoral, perineal and vaginal areas. When injected, platelet-rich plasma provides excellent results for 12 to 18 months. However, it is recommended to wait at least 48 hours before having sexual intercourse. Women who choose this treatment should also engage in daily physical activity.

Conclusion

Suffering from vaginal pain is not inevitable. If you suffer from vaginal pain, don’t hesitate to consult a specialist, because it can affect your self-esteem and your sexuality.

To get your sex life back to normal, the Marois Clinics offer various treatments. All of them are highly effective, non-invasive and approved by Health Canada.

Would you like to make an appointment, or do you have any questions? Write to us and we will get back to you as soon as possible!

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Dr. Marois is a urologist who is not a member of the Régie d’Assurance Maladie du Québec (RAMQ). As such, the clinic can not claim the RAMQ for the payment of his services. If you consult Dr Marois, you must pay for the services rendered.

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To ensure the smooth running of the clinic and a minimum of courtesy towards other patients and our staff, we ask you to notify us 48 hours in advance for the cancellation of a consultation, 5 working days in advance for a surgery at the office and 21 working days in advance for a major surgery. If these deadlines are not respected, a cancellation fee of 50% of the service will be charged.

Change of appointment:

We understand that events occur, so we ask you to provide us with at least a 24-hour notice for any change in their appointment; we will be happy to accommodate you, the best we can. However, if you fail to inform us within this timeframe or do not show up, we will charge a $ 100 fee.

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Dr. Marois is a urologist who is not a member of the Régie de l’Assurance Maladie du Québec (RAMQ). As such, if you require his professional services, you will have to pay directly the Cliniques Marois for the services rendered.

Cancellation Policy:

To ensure the smooth running of the clinics aa well as a minimum of courtesy towards other patients and staff members, we ask you to notify us 48 hours in advance for cancelling an appointment, 5 working days for cancelling a minor surgery in the office and 21 working days for major surgery at the CMC. If these deadlines are not respected, a cancellation fee of 50% of the service will be charged.

Change of appointment:

We understand that events occur and schedules change, so we ask patients to give us at least a 24-hour notice for any changes of appointment. We will be happy to reschedule another one for you. Failure to provide such notice within this timeframe will result in a $ 100 fee.

Thank you for your understanding.

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