Occasionally, something jumps out at us in medicine. Such a thing happened when I met with Joanne Yount. Many of our women patients had repeated bouts of vaginal and urethral symptoms. Joanne appeared at my office and told me of her work and about the many groups throughout the country dedicated to solving the genito-urinary problems under the aegis of the Vulvar Pain Foundation. Our encounter prompted this article.
Fibromyalgic individuals complain a lot.
Ordinarily, the most overwhelming symptoms are the aches and pains striking anywhere in the musculoskeletal system. Very commonly, headaches arise from the back of the occiput and neck, sweep over to the front, frequently involve but one-half though frequently, all of the head. Flushing and sweats are common as are nasal congestion, bad or metallic tastes, ringing or fluttering sounds in the ears, numbness anywhere but often only of the hands and feet. In addition to the above, women will often note burning on urination, persistent or fleeting, and vaginal irritation or discharge. If pelvic pain level allows intercourse, vulval or introital chafing, rawness or burning follows.