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 sclerosus, STDs, hormonal deficiency or trauma. If you live in Canada and suffer from vaginal pain, don’t hesitate to make an appointment at Cliniques Marois. Our health professionals use revolutionary techniques to treat pain.

The symptoms of vaginal pain in women

Vaginal pain can manifest in the perineum, labia, vestibule, vagina, clitoris and even the anus. It can occur at the entrance or inside the vagina and is often accompanied by itching, burning sensations or muscle imbalances, such as a significant increase in tone.

The intensity of the pain can vary, ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain when touching the area or during sexual intercourse. Women experiencing vaginal pain may find it hard to wear tight pants and underwear or ride a bicycle.

Causes of vaginal pain

The cause of vaginal pain is still unknown. However, many factors can play a role.

• Vaginitis

  Vaginitis is characterized by vulvar pain, itching and burning. Vaginitis can be infectious. If it’s infectious, a thick vaginal discharge is common.  If the vaginitis stems from a fungal infection, the discharge appears whitish, resembling curdled milk. If it’s related to a parasite like trichomonas, the vaginal discharge is grayish and smelly. If the vaginal discharge is yellowish, the vaginitis is likely caused by a bacterial infection such as mycoplasma or chlamydia. In addition to discharge, women may experience pain during intercourse. It can occur during or after penetration.

• 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. The symptoms of vaginal atrophy can also appear in perimenopausal women or those who smoke.

• Lichen sclerosus

  Lichen sclerosus is a disease that affects 1 in every 1,000 women. It typically manifests on the clitoris, labia minora and vaginal entrance. Lichen sclerosus causes pain during vaginal penetration and can significantly impact a woman’s sex life. Although it’s not sexually transmitted, it prevents many women from achieving orgasm or feeling pleasure during sex. Lichen sclerosus causes the appearance of spots of different colours, 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, when inserting a tampon or even from the friction of wearing underwear. It can also occur spontaneously. Women who suffer from vulvodynia report sensations of heat, burning and irritation in the vaginal area. The pain is persistent and may cause fear or anxiety about having sex.

• Clitoridynia

  Clitoridynia is pain that occurs in the clitoris. It often considered a localized verion of vulvodynia. Clitoridynia is characterized by chronic pain that lasts for more than 3 months. The pain can be spontaneous or provoked. The exact cause of clitoridynia is unknown. However, according to the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM), it’s associated with vestibulodynia, lichen sclerosus and multiple sclerosis.

• Chronic pelvic pain : (vaginismus)

  Vaginismus is a condition characterized by painful spasms in the pelvic floor muscles that make sexual intercourse difficult. There are 2 forms of vaginismus: primary vaginismus and secondary vaginismus. Primary vaginismus refers to the pain experienced during the first ever attempt at penetration. Secondary vaginismus occurs later, often years after previous successful intercourse. It can manifest suddenly overnight with no apparent cause. Similarly, vaginismus can be caused by trauma.

• Dyspareunia

  Dyspareunia refers to pain experienced by a woman during or after sexual penetration. The intensity of the pain can vary greatly, ranging from mild discomfort to sharp or unbearable pain. Penetration may be difficult or even impossible. The pain is usually localized around the entrance to the vagina. However, it can also be felt along the vaginal walls or in the lower abdomen.

• Dermatological conditions: vestibulodynia, lichen sclerosus, etc.

  Various dermatological conditions can cause vaginal pain or itching. If you have an autoimmune condition, it should be closely monitored by a gynecologist. Dermatological conditions include lichen sclerosus, lichen simplex or lichen planus. While lichen sclerosus is limited to the perineum, lichen planus can affect the entire body, including the vaginal area.

• Hormonal deficiencies (atrophy)

  Hormonal deficiencies can also cause vaginal pain. Perimenopausal women and those who are breastfeeding may experience a drop in estrogen. This can cause vulvovaginal pain.

• Vaginal cancer

  Vaginal pain can also be caused by vaginal cancer. If this is the case, you may not experience any symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Pain and other signs will only appear when the tumour has grown. Signs and symptoms of vaginal cancer include abnormal bleeding, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, painful sex or the presence of a lump in the vagina.

What to do to relieve vaginal pain?

Don’t suffer in silence if you’re expiring pain in your vagina, vulva or perineum. Making an appointment with a doctor is the first step toward addressing the issue. The doctor will conduct a thorough analysis to determine the underlying cause of your pain. Depending on the diagnosis, different solutions will be proposed to you.

No matter what treatment is recommended, it’s important to ensure your pelvic floor muscles are relaxed. Make an appointment with a physiotherapist for perineal reeducation.

Possible urological treatments

To alleviate vaginal pain, Cliniques Marois offers various urological treatments. If the pain is due to lichen sclerosus, platelet-rich plasma injections are a viable option. This treatment consists of injecting micro-droplets of plasma into the vulvar area. Once the plasma is injected under the skin, the platelets release growth factors that stimulate dermal regeneration. It’s important to note that plasma injections to treat vulvar lichen sclerosus are 100% natural. 4 sessions spread over 2 to 4 weeks are usually required. Each session lasts approximately 1 hour. Initial results are visible between 3 and 6 months after the injections.

Cliniques Marois also offers treatment for vaginal pain using radio frequency and electrostimulation. Utilizing devices like the Vtone, the Plus90 and MorpheusV8, we can effectively address issues associated with pelvic floor weakening, vaginal atrophy and lichen sclerosus. The Vtone uses electrostimulation, while the MorpheusV8 utilizes  bipolar radiofrequency technology. These two devices strengthen weak muscles to combat urinary incontinence. Finally, the Plus90 helps improve blood circulation. Opting for vulvovaginal treatment with radio frequency and electrostimulation is risk-free, non-invasive, non-surgical and approved by Health Canada.

At Cliniques Marois, we also offer laser treatment as another effective option. This non-invasive and painless procedure involves a circumferential photothermal treatment of the mucous membrane of the vaginal wall. Choosing to undergo laser treatment for vaginal atrophy stimulates collagen production and enhances mucosal vascularization. The procedure is straightforward and yields excellent results. In fact, patients only need 2 sessions to see significant improvements in vaginal atrophy. In general, the treatment is effective for 15 to 18 months.

At Cliniques Marois, we also offer plasma injections to treat chronic bladder or urethral pain. Opting for an injection of plasma for chronic bladder or urethral pain increases circulation and promotes tissue regeneration in the clitoral, perineal and vaginal areas. Once injected, platelet-rich plasma provides excellent results for 12 to 18 months. However, it’s recommended to wait at least 48 hours before having sexual intercourse. Women who choose this treatment should also engage in daily physical activity.

Conclusion

You don’t have to live with vaginal pain. If you’re suffering with vaginal pain, don’t hesitate to consult a specialist. This pain can significantly affect your self-esteem and sexual well-being.

If you want your sex life back, Cliniques Marois offers various treatments, which are highly effective, non-invasive and approved by Health Canada.