Acupuncture May Help Women with Vulvodynia
Women with vulvodynia feel a chronic pain in their vulva - the outside portion of their genitals. Medication, nerve blocks, and physical therapy can be used to treat the condition, but acupuncture might be another option, according to new research published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Researchers worked with 36 women suffering from vulvodynia. The women's average age was 35. Half received 5 weeks of treatment with an acupuncture protocol specifically designed for vulvodynia. The other half were put on a waiting list and received treatment after the study period.
Before and after the study, all of the women filled out questionnaires so that the researchers could track their progress.
After five weeks, the treated women reported less pain and better sexual function than the women who had no treatment.
The effectiveness of the treatment over the long term still needs to be studied, however.
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What to Expect at Your First Visit with the Gynecologist
Most women don't feel enthusiastic about seeing their gynecologist. If you've never been before (or haven't gone in a while), you might feel a little nervous. After all, the doctor is examining a private area and you may be asked some very personal questions. And you might have heard about negative experiences from your friends.
How can you calm your anxiety? One way is to know what to expect ahead of time. Check out our latest blog post to learn why it's important to have this checkup, what typically happens during the appointment, and how you can make your visit go more smoothly.
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