First off, thank god for this forum.
I have been living with vulvodynia for about 10 years now, luckily the last six of them have been relatively pain free thanks to an absolute angel gynaecologist who, after 4 years of doctors and consultants not seeing anything ‘wrong’ with me, recognised my condition straight away.
So what brings me to the forum?
Just to rant, because my partner and I are wanting to start our family and I’ve already clashed with the first doctor I spoke to over the vulvodynia medication.
She couldn’t even PRONOUNCE vulvodynia. And she continued to demonstrate a severe lack of understanding or any compassion for me in dealing with it. “Why can’t you just stop taking the tablets?” “I think you should just try managing the symptoms if you want to have a baby.”
Now, I’m not bashing the NHS, they work so hard and there are many talented doctors and nurses putting their necks on the line all day every day. But if you don’t know what a condition is, or you haven’t heard of it, rather than treat me with a blanket approach, please just ask. “Oh I haven’t come across that before, what is that like for you?” would have been so much more welcome than stop taking your tablets and just deal with it. Please. Just ask.
Thanks for listening. x
Completely relate! I appreciate doctors not knowing the ins and outs of every condition but as you said, the bedside manner could be improved! Vulvodynia is something I have been diagnosed with (vestibule vuvlodynia) i was basically told my options were anti-depressants or local anaesthetic gel and was sent on my way!
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