Physiotherapy Recommended for 'Provoked Vestibulodynia'

Remember in the beginning of March, we reported a Botox trial that was showing promising results in treating many ailments of the vagina? Dr. Peter T. Pacik, a New Hampshire plastic surgeon, was conducting a trial of the affects of botulinum Toxin A on vaginal conditions like vulvodynia or vaginismus, conditions that cause seemingly unexplainable persistent burning, itching or even contractions.

Well, sex researcher and registered psychologist Lori Brotto thinks she has a better option. One that's more natural, and doesn't require injecting a toxin into your hoo-ha. And what's more? Some of us ladies are doing it already.

Brotto says women who suffer from “provoked vestibulodynia” can be helped, if not cured, by physiotherapy. Brotto teaches women to relax their pelvic floor using vaginal inserts which, in most cases, relieves some, if not all of the pain.

“When they learn that they can manage the pain, it’s really reassuring for women,” Brotto says. “It increases their confidence… .It allows for intercourse to be put back on the menu.”

This is made worse by the doctors who can't find the problem and suggest it's in the women's heads, or maybe worse—that they're frigid.

Brotto urges women with unexplained vaginal pain to be persistent until someone finds the problem.