Vulvodynia on Vacation

Pre Vacation Thoughts:

"yes, I'm going on vacation. We're going on vacation. This means lots of rest, relaxation, and lazy days. Without dogs, chores, and work, I wont have any reasons to feel stressed or uptight. This will ultimately mean more desire, my 'sexy time.' This will be great. I'll even pack some nice clothes, some lingerie, it'll be the best time EVER. Like the honeymoon I wish I had (minus the sex stuff, because intercourse = still SCARY)" 

Now Fast Forward to Vacation Reality. 

Vacation = Swimsuits, Alcohol, Changes in Diet, Salt Water

4 things that your vulva isn't a fan of. 

I'm not sure about the 'science' on last one, but I know for me when I went in the ocean, my vulva burned the minute I got out. 

Swimsuits = overly tight garment on your vulva. no beuno. 

For my next vacation must find a better swimsuit --- maybe boy shorts?

Alcohol = It's on the no list.
All I know is they suggest you cut alcohol, refined sugar and caffeine from your diet when you have vulvodynia. while I'm not a big drinker, vacation changed that, especially when the bar opens at 11, and champagne is always available at breakfast.
For my next vacation I must remember to go virgin or go water.

Changes in Diet = changes in everything.
Your urine changes, your pH changes, you body changes. It's likely to had influenced my down there.


***
Pro-Active Things I knew to Prep for Vacation

Personal Hygiene - I brought my own soap and shampoo.
I use Dove products.
But my doctors say that a simple shampoo change can change rates of pain and such!

I didn't bring any clothing I know causes troubles for me.
For me this is primarily jeans and lulu lemon pants.
I also brought baby powder and comfy underwear to prevent a build up of moisture.

.... unfortunately, that's all...

So, for you Vulvodynia sufferers out there keep swimsuits, alcohol, diet, and sea water in mind for your next vacation. We know that we will be hitting up a different location next time. 

Vulvodynia

Vulvodynia.

Have you heard that word? Do you know what it is? No? Take a guess.

It's something we don't talk a lot about. Google it, you wont find a whole lot. It's suggested in my books at home, the pamphlets at the doctors office, and the world wide web, that as many as 15% of women suffer from this condition. And yet, we don't have a big walk like Breast Cancer, and many of you don't know what it is.

Because women don't talk about sex. They don't talk about their sexual organs either. We are polite, and respectful in that way. I have decided that needs to change.

So, let's talk about our VAGINA'S! More appropriately, lets just talk about everything 'down there'.

I suffer from Vulvodynia. My specialist calls it something else, but I don't really know what she's saying, she says its basically a type of provoked vulvodynia. Which means pain the vulva region when provoked, i.e. with sexual activity such as intercourse, and occasionally when you wear pants that are too tight (like right now).

Its hard to talk about, but usually when we start talking we realize we aren't the only ones... sex shouldn't be painful, you shouldn't be in pain and you shouldn't let it take over your life... doesn't mean it wont though.

My story is that I noticed pain, and I clued in that something wasn't right.... I stopped in with my family doctor who kinda suggested it was in my head, and then visited the nurse to follow up who suggested maybe a pap test was in order....
Apparently, your pap test shouldn't be painful. It shouldn't give you nightmares, and it shouldn't be something you fear so much you don't ever know if you can do it again. After one pap test, and a second scope, I was never letting anyone up there again, especially with a spectrum, and the nurse said things just didn't look right. She thought it might be vaginismus, so off to the gynaecologist I went. With only 3 in town, and 2 having 6 +month waiting list we went to the shorter one. Two appointments later he diagnosed me with vulvodynia and said he'd refer me to a clinic out of Vancouver General Hospital.

At this point I had become a psychological mess in regards to my vagina, sexuality and sanity. My councillor encouraged me to call the clinic, but I refused, so I call my gynaecologist two months later.... only to find out that my doctor had left the practice and never submitted my paper work. At this time, I had finally found a family doctor in town who I went bawling too and the nice nurse practitioner followed up and ensured my paperwork got to the right place!

It's now September, and just over a month ago I traveled for my pre appt. I let the nice doctor lady check out my lady parts while my mom held my hand. And got the confirmation that I'd be right for the program.

So starting next Tuesday, I'm beginning 'treatments' at the Multidisciplinary Vulvodynia Clinic out of Vancouver. You can check out there website here.


Anyways, for those of you who suffer from this, or wonder more, I hope that you can follow along this journey. This isn't a blog dedicated to vulvodynia, but a blog of me, my house, and my puppies. Vulvodynia is something that sneakingly affects many parts of my life, more than I want to admit. And I find it's important that we talk about it and let women know that pain isn't 'normal.' we don't have to live in pain.

Here are some blogs to follow about vulvodynia or other like pain

Pretty with Pelvic Pain

Ouch, My Lady Parts....

Its' my life


My favorite forum --- Vulvodynia Support Forum