It’s Not In Her Head

By Karin Maxey 

Pain. Most of us experienced it our first time. But every time after that? It’s the dirty little secret 16% of women are living with, and not in a good way. When one of life’s best pleasures becomes a chore, women tend to take on more than their fair share of the usual mix of responsibility, guilt, and shame. The resulting frustration leads to isolation, feeling misunderstood, and worst of all, an overwhelming sense of inadequacy. We have it hard enough.

Vulvodynia goes beyond interrupting between the sheets. The intense discomfort can interfere with daily activities as simple as sitting or even just wearing clothes. Unbelievably, we’re still told to just relax, it’s all in our heads. Symptoms are hard to see during a physical examination, and sometimes don’t manifest at all leading healthcare professional to diagnose it as a psycho-sexual issue and patients are directed to sexual therapists. But modern research tells us the pain is real.

We could have told you that all along. Partners have not been pushed away for something made up in our heads. We’re not feeling guilty that we can’t please our partners in the most natural way possible for the fun of it. We’re not mad that they have needs because we enjoy the drama. Yes, inadequacy and isolation are something we want to say to describe ourselves. If all that were true, then yes, thank you Doctor, it’s totally in our head.

To be clear, Vulvodynia is neither an STD or a sexual dysfunction. It’s also not the product of a low sex drive. Quite the opposite; frustration arises and that first trip to the doctor’s is often made because it interfered with their sex life. Studies have also discredited any correlation to prior sexual abuse. A knowledge gap still clearly exists. The more women who raise awareness by opening a dialogue with their doctors, girlfriends, partners, and daughters, the more those that suffer in silence will feel comfortable coming forward to seek treatment. Treatments such as pelvic floor muscle therapy and topic pain killers have been known to do the trick. But it’s that first, hard step.

The key is not to settle. Don’t be afraid to find a doctor who understands if you’re not seeing eye-to-eye to with your current one. Be open with your partner. Mostly, know you’re not alone. The Canadian Foundation for Women’s Health has collaborated with Pink Buffalo Films in a forward-thinking campaign to bring awareness to this under-researched and poorly understood chronic neuropathic pain condition of the female genitalia by offering a compelling look at a delicate subject matter.

Watch the video and start the dialogue today.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The CFWH was established in 1981 in an effort to champion research in women’s health, and provide support for local and international women’s health programs. It’s their belief that every woman deserves an equal shot at a hap-py, healthy life. CFWH.org 

Pink Buffalo Films is a film, television commercial, and branded content production company with an intriguing roster of directors based in Vancouver, Los Angeles, and London. PinkBuffaloFilms.com