Others may report vaginal discomfort while walking and sitting. The discomfort can have devastating effects on your daily life and sexual relationships. There is also a subset of vulvodynia called vulvar vestibulitis. This is defined as pain in the vestibular area upon touch or attempted vaginal entry. It is most commonly diagnosed in white women, women in their twenties and thirties, women who are educated and sexually experienced.
Symptoms can last for years or can wax and wane.
Vulvodynia is difficult to diagnose. It is diagnosed based upon history and after all other possible problems have been ruled out. Pelvic exam can be completely normal. Vestibulitis is diagnosed by history, tenderness to touch with a cotton swab and tenderness with pelvic exam. Physicians are unclear as to the cause and, more importantly, don't know how to treat the symptoms.