Vulvodynia is a painful and chronic condition that can be quite debilitating. Natural remedies for vulvodynia are effective. Home remedies include coconut oil, vitamin supplements and topical treatments. Dietary and lifestyle changes can make a difference as well.
Vulvodynia is a chronic and painful condition that can affect any part of the pelvic region. It is easily misdiagnosed at first as some type of infection. However, antibiotics and antifungal medications do not help vulvodynia, and in fact, antibiotics can make vulvodynia worse.
Natural remedies are helpful in reducing or eliminating the misery of vulvodynia.
Coconut oil is a nourishing and healing oil. It can be use daily in food and it can be used topically. 1-3 tablespoons are taken internally daily. For topical use, keep a small jar of coconut oil in the bathroom to use as needed, but especially before bed.
Tight jeans (or any tight pants) will restrict the blood flow. Ladies have found that wearing loose fitting pants and also cotton underwear can reduce the pain cause by vulvodynia.
Many products for women's health contain all sorts of difficult to pronounce ingredients. Stick to products that have a few known ingredients. Avoid sodium laureth sulphate in your soaps and shampoos.
Use organic cloth menstrual pads instead of tampons or sanitary napkins.
Baking soda or borax douches are single ingredient remedies that can be used to reduce the pain of vulvodynia.
These supplement are helpful healthy cells. The magnesium is also helpful in that it helps the body to relax.
Perineal massage can be done at home to gently stretch the perineal tissue. This is commonly done by women preparing for a birth, but can be done by women who are suffering with vulvodynia as well.
Yes, good old fashioned oats are an herb, when the oat plant is used to treat a health problem. A bowl of oatmeal each day is nourishing. And oatmeal actually has a soothing effect on the body. An alternative to this delicious porridge is strong oatstraw tea. This mild tasting tea is nourishing and relaxing. Finally, oats can be used topically. Oats can be finely ground and added to a sitz bath, or mixed with water to make a paste for a topical application. Oatmeal baths have long been used to reduce surface pain and irritation.
St. John's Wort is an herb that may be helpful on two levels for vulvodynia. First of all, it is a good herb for anxiety and depression, which may accompany vulvodynia. Secondly, St. John's Wort is helpful for nerve pain. This herb can be taken in a tincture or as a tea.
Burdock root is another herb that gently relieves nerve related pain. This herb can be taken in capsules at mealtime - 2-4 capsules with each meal. Burdock root can take time to bring healing. Give it at least a month to see if you notice results.
Damiana is an herb that is used to increase the blood flow to the pelvic area. This herb is also good for mild anxiety. One capsule is taken once or twice a day.
Peppermint is an herb that increases circulation. Some women have found temporary relief with applying peppermint lip balm to relieve the pain of vulvodynia. If you use this remedy, use only natural lip balms.
You can make your own peppermint healing balm:
Recipe for Vulvodynia Healing Balm
Melt coconut oil in a double boiler. Add beeswax and continue to heat until it is melted. Remove from heat. Add peppermint essential oil. Stir. Pour into a clean glass jar. If you prefer this to be more solid, add a little more beeswax. If the peppermint is too strong for you, melt in some more coconut oil. If you don't want to bother with the beeswax, you can leave it out. Just mix together the coconut oil and peppermint essential oil. If this is kept in a warm room, the oil will be in its liquid form, but it will still be effective.
Cayenne Pepper
A fascinating study suggests that topical capsaicin (found in cayenne pepper) may reduce the pain and hypersensitivity associated with vuvlodynia.1
Cayenne pepper is use topically for pain relief from arthritis and nerve problems. This study refers to 8% capsaicin. If you wish to make your own topical capsaicin, you can mix cayenne pepper in coconut oil or castor oil, each of which have healing properties as well. 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper in 1 Tablespoon of olive oil, castor oil or coconut oil would make the solution to be about 8% cayenne pepper. If you decide to try this use a small amount on a small area to make sure it agrees with your skin.
Your diet can affect any part of your body. Try to eat nourishing whole foods for the majority of your diet. Reduce consumption of sugar, processed foods and fast foods. Avoid artificial sweeteners, food dyes and msg. Freshly made vegetable juices contain high amounts of nutrients and enzymes.
If you have not done so, do check with a trusted health professional to make sure that your vulvodynia is not caused by an anatomical problem.
Certain medications can trigger vulvodynia. Antibiotics and birth control pills are two possible triggers for vulvodynia.
Have you treated vulvodynia with natural remedies? Please send us some feedback!
Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3169333/
