difference between PN and Vulvodinia?

[Chex]

Would someone be able to tell me the difference betwwen the two? Do the symptoms overlap and how can a dr. tell the difference?

[Violet M]

Hi Chex,

Vulvodynia literally means pain in the vulva or vulvar pain but that diagnosis tells you nothing about what's causing the pain.

Pudendal neuralgia or nerve entrapment can be one of the causes of vulvodynia. The nerves that innervate the vulva are the ilioinguinal, genitofemoral, and the pudendal. A nerve block might help you figure out if one of these nerves is the culprit.

According to WebMd these are the causes of vulvodynia:
http://women.webmd.com/vulvodynia

Possible Causes of Vulvodynia

Doctors don’t know the cause of most forms ofvulvodynia. And there is no evidence that infections, such as sexually transmitted diseases, cause vulvodynia.

Researchers are trying to find the causes of vulvodynia. They may include:

Nerve injury or irritation
Abnormal response in vulvar cells to an infection or trauma
Genetic factors that make the vulva respond poorly to chronic inflammation
Hypersensitivity to yeast infections
Muscle spasms
Allergies or irritation to chemicals or other substances
Hormonal changes
History of sexual abuse
Frequent antibiotic use

[Chex]

I seen my dr. last week and inquired about nerve blocks, especially a pudendal nerve block but she said that that would not work. she would like to try botox in the pelvic floor. I'm worried becasue she said I would have to be prepared to be incontinent for 3 months. Has anyone had botox?

[Violet M]

Chex, so is your doctor saying that a nerve block won't work because you definitely don't have pudendal neuralgia? If so, how did they determine that? A nerve block is one of the tools that can help make the diagnosis. Also, if there is pain along the course of the pudendal nerve on examination, that can be one of the diagnostic criteria.

Botox helps some people but if you have pudendal nerve entrapment it is unlikely to help significantly unless the nerve is released first. Botox is only a temporary solution because it wears off in a few months. If given correctly, you should not become incontinent although that can be one of the risks.

Violet M