WHAT CAUSES VULVODYNIA?
There are a number of theories about the cause of vulvodynia. Among those listed by the National Vulvodynia Association:
- an injury to, or irritation of, the nerves surrounding the vulva
- an abnormal response of different cells in the vulva to environmental factors (such as infection or trauma)
- genetic factors associated with susceptibility to chronic vestibular inflammation
- a localized hypersensitivity to candida (yeast)
- spasms of the muscles that support the pelvic organs
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| Candida Yeast Overgrowth Treatment |
TREATMENT
I have some information from the Vulvar Pain Foundation that suggests many vulvodynia patients have excess oxalate in their urine. This is the same material that produces kidney stones in its extreme form and sometimes causes crystals in the urine. A diet low in oxalates and supplementation with calcium citrate and equal amounts of magnesium citrate has produced good results for some people. More information on the low oxalate diet (that is, in many ways, similar to the anti-yeast diet) is available from the VPF at its website: www.vulvarpainfoundation.org
or by writing:
VPF
P.O. Box 177
Graham, NC 27253
(a self-addressed, stamped envelope is appreciated)
The VPF's literature also contends that many women who have vulvodynia have multiple health problems, which sounds very much like systemic candida overgrowth. Some physicians prefer to treat the yeast infection that frequently accompanies complaints of vulva pain, and then investigate further if it continues after the yeast problem has been successfully addressed.
Dr. Paul Nyirjesy, M.D., a member of the board of the National Vulvodynia Association and an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, subscribes to the "eliminate the yeast" plan. In a conversation with him he said,
In my experience, about 50% of women with vulvodynia vestibular syndrome (VVS) will at some point during their care with us have a positive culture for yeast. This 50% is greater than the 15-20% culture positivity rate in the general population.
Many women with this syndrome respond to antifungal medications, but there is a small group of women who will suffer recurrent yeast infections, defined as four or more infections in a 12-month period.
Current studies suggest that in many women with recurrent yeast infections, local immune factors play a key role, and that patients get into a yeast growth spiral they can't break without immune system support.
This same doctor admits that many of his colleagues don't agree with him and his philosophy of "culture everyone for yeast and culture often." He also said:
I am constantly struck by the number of patients that we see who have initial negative cultures, then get a positive one, and finally see all of their symptoms improve once they get started on antifungal therapy. Many patients have found positive results with 100-200 mg. of Diflucan once or twice a week for six months.
Dr. Nyirjesy says he uses Diflucan almost exclusively if there is a positive culture for candida. "I've treated well over 1,000 patients with long-term Diflucan. It's well tolerated, and maybe once every two years I have a patient who gets a positive culture while she's being treated. But for the vast majority, they have negative cultures while they're on treatment," says Dr. Nyirjesy.
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| Candida Yeast Overgrowth Treatment |
MY COMMENTS
As most women with yeast-related problems have found out, there's no magic cure - no "quick fix" for many of their recurring health problems. These include fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, vaginitis - and vulvodynia. Although I've focused on the "yeast" to all of these symptoms, I've also said there are multiple causes, and antifungal medications won't provide answers for every woman. These conditions are frustrating not only for the people with these disorders, but also for the health professionals who care for them.
I've emphasized in this blog that every part of a woman's body is related to every other part. I was pleased to read the comments of the Vulvar Pain Foundations' Scientific Research Committee that said that interstitial cystitis, fibromyalgia, vulvodynia and irritable bowel disorder are directly related to each other. To find out more, you can check out Candida Yeast Overgrowth Treatment.