Pelvic floor condition
Vulvodynia
Real pain. Real answers. Real relief.
Vulvodynia is chronic vulvar pain that impacts sitting, exercise, intimacy, and daily life. If you’ve been told “everything looks normal” but your pain is very real — you are not imagining it.
“You deserve to be heard, believed, and supported. Relief is possible.”
What is vulvodynia?
Chronic pain that deserves to be taken seriously.
Vulvodynia is chronic pain of the vulva that lasts for at least three months and does not have an identifiable cause such as an infection or skin condition. The pain can be burning, stinging, raw, achy, or sharp, and for many people it’s incredibly distressing. It can impact sitting, exercise, clothing choices, intimacy, and overall quality of life.
If you’ve ever been told “everything looks normal” but your pain is very real — you’re not imagining it. While vulvodynia can feel confusing and overwhelming, there is a path forward — and pelvic floor physical therapy is often a key part of treatment.
The pelvic floor’s role
Tight, overactive muscles that amplify pain signals.
The pelvic floor muscles sit just beneath the vulva and surround the vaginal opening. In many individuals with vulvodynia, these muscles are tight, overactive, and highly sensitive. When muscles stay contracted for long periods of time, blood flow is reduced, nerves become irritated, and pain signals can become amplified.
Over time, the nervous system becomes very good at producing pain — even when there is no ongoing tissue damage. Pain is not just a tissue issue — it’s also a nervous system issue. The great news is that the nervous system is adaptable.
“Your nervous system is doing its job a little too well. And that means it can be retrained.”
How pelvic floor PT helps
Interrupting the pain cycle — gently and with intention.
Treatment always starts with a detailed assessment of the pelvic floor to understand how the muscles are functioning and how sensitive the tissues are. Internal assessment is offered if you’re comfortable — never required.
What treatment may include
- Manual techniques to reduce muscle tension and tissue sensitivity
- Learning how to relax and lengthen the pelvic floor
- Breathing strategies to calm the nervous system
- Gradual desensitisation to touch
- Education around pain science and body awareness
- Guidance with dilators when appropriate
- Addressing posture, hip strength, and core function
A message for those who feel dismissed
“You deserve to be heard, believed, and supported.”
Vulvodynia can feel isolating, frustrating, and exhausting. Many people spend years searching for answers or feeling dismissed. Pain with touch, intimacy, or daily activities is common — but it is not normal, and it is absolutely something that can improve.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Relief is possible, and your body is capable of change.
Related conditions
You might also be dealing with…
Pelvic floor conditions rarely show up alone. Here are some commonly related conditions we also treat at WildHer.
Ready to find your way
out of the pain?
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