A woman shares her experience with vulvodynia and interstitial cystitis, two painful conditions affecting the vulva and bladder. She describes her journey seeking relief from chronic pain in her early 20s while in college.
Desperate for Relief
The woman suffered from constant pain due to these conditions throughout her childhood and teenage years. At age 20-21, she was desperate for any form of relief. She researched IC specialists near Philadelphia and found one who performed a procedure called vulvectomy vestibulectomy.
The Surgical Procedure
Without fully understanding the procedure, she scheduled the surgery. The day before, she learned it was called a “vulvectomy vestibulectomy partial flap advancement with removal of Skene’s glands.” She emphasizes that she had a partial, not full, vulvectomy, and her appearance remained normal.
Complications and Recovery
The surgery had complications:
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🩹 Her stitches opened after urinating post-surgery
🏥 She required a second surgery to redo the stitches
🛌 She had to stay overnight in the hospital
The recovery was extremely painful and difficult. She experienced:
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🚶♀️ Difficulty walking
💊 Opioid-induced constipation
😖 Intense pain during bowel movements
Reflection and Current Status
Looking back, she regrets having the surgery and wishes she had explored other treatment options first. However, her condition has significantly improved:
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✅ Minimal vulvodynia remains
👩⚕️ Doctor recommends Releveum or lidocaine for residual symptoms
🧘♀️ Working on regulating her nervous system
🎉 Able to do activities without pain
Key Takeaways
The woman strongly advises against this procedure unless it’s an absolute last resort. She emphasizes the importance of exploring all treatment options before considering surgery.
Interesting Facts
Vulvodynia affects up to 16% of women at some point in their lives. It’s a chronic pain condition that can significantly impact quality of life. While surgery is sometimes considered, many experts recommend conservative treatments first, including:
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💊 Topical medications
🧠 Pelvic floor physical therapy
🔌 Nerve stimulation techniques
🥼 Cognitive behavioral therapy
Research shows that a multidisciplinary approach combining various treatments often yields the best results for managing vulvodynia and related conditions.
