Vulvodynia is a chronic pain syndrome of the vagina that comes without warning and can last long periods of time. It's accompanied by symptoms of burning, stinging, itching, throbbing, swelling, and soreness that's often described as agonizing, says Maria Sophocles, M.D., ob-gyn, the medical director of Women’s Healthcare of Princeton in New Jersey.
The sad truth is that there’s no known cause of vulvodynia and, until recently, doctors didn’t even recognize it as a real pain syndrome, says Ross. “Diagnosis can be very difficult, since the vagina may appear completely normal upon examination,” says Ross “Usually we administer a cotton-swab test where we apply pressure to various areas of the vagina and ask the patient to evaluate the severity of the pain associated with each touch.”
While there is no cure for vulvodynia, there are treatments available. And some doctors do prescribe a low-dose antidepressant.
“It’s not clear why antidepressants work for some women with this condition, but they do,” says Ross. The doses of antidepressants to treat vulvodynia are much lower than those used for an actual depressive disorder, she says. That means women treating their vulvodynia with that prescription should avoid side effects like weight gain and a reduced libido. Unfortunately, even with a script, the road to a happier vag can take months, she says.
Here's where you come in. Her best bet to ward off a depressed vagina is sex—and lots of it. “Sex promotes healthy collagen and elastin cells and maintains the flow of blood to the area,” says Sophocles.
Bottom line: Yep, her hoo-ha can be seriously depressed, but having as much sex as possible will keep her yoni happy as a clam.
This article originally appeared on Women’s Health US.
