Is (light) bleeding a normal symptom of Vulvodynia?

Hi all,

My wife was diagnosed with Vulvodynia approx. a year ago, and we have seen some improvement since, but not much. We have met with three gynecologists, two of them experts on Vulvodynia. She cannot sit or function normally due to tenderness and pain. She is now too tired of it all to actively seek out any new information herself, hence I am asking this question for her.  

Is it normal for this condition to have some light bleeding every now and then (2-3 times times a week)?

The gynecologists say the mucous membrane (right term?) is irritated and red (and therefore the bleeding), but should heal with time. However, if there is bleeding every now and then even after a year, it doesn't seem to heal, right? The only treatment they recommend is amitriptyline, which she do not want to take due to bad experiences with such medications in the past. And we also don't understand how antidepressants will heal the underlying problem that causes the light bleeding. Amitriptyline can help with nerve pain, yes, but has nothing to do with the irritated tissue damage that is causing the bleeding, and probably some of, if not most of, the pain.

So, is irritation down there to the point of light bleeding even a symptom of Vulvodynia? Or is Vulvodynia purely nerve pain/sensitization? And might this actually be something else? Like some skin condition or something? One of the gynecologists mentioned Lichen as a possible alternative diagnosis, but still believed it was a case of typical Vulvodynia, and said antidepressants must be tested as first line of treatment.  

Thankful for any input as we are quite frustrated at this point!

I've heard parasites can do a world of havoc on any person's body, especially on a women's reproductive organs. Maybe she should try a parasite cleanse or a parasite cleanse tincture (you can get it on Amazon). I say this because I don't think bleeding is normal for vulvodynia or common.

Worriedhusband wrote:Hi all,

My wife was diagnosed with Vulvodynia approx. a year ago, and we have seen some improvement since, but not much. We have met with three gynecologists, two of them experts on Vulvodynia. She cannot sit or function normally due to tenderness and pain. She is now too tired of it all to actively seek out any new information herself, hence I am asking this question for her.  

Is it normal for this condition to have some light bleeding every now and then (2-3 times times a week)?

The gynecologists say the mucous membrane (right term?) is irritated and red (and therefore the bleeding), but should heal with time. However, if there is bleeding every now and then even after a year, it doesn't seem to heal, right? The only treatment they recommend is amitriptyline, which she do not want to take due to bad experiences with such medications in the past. And we also don't understand how antidepressants will heal the underlying problem that causes the light bleeding. Amitriptyline can help with nerve pain, yes, but has nothing to do with the irritated tissue damage that is causing the bleeding, and probably some of, if not most of, the pain.

So, is irritation down there to the point of light bleeding even a symptom of Vulvodynia? Or is Vulvodynia purely nerve pain/sensitization? And might this actually be something else? Like some skin condition or something? One of the gynecologists mentioned Lichen as a possible alternative diagnosis, but still believed it was a case of typical Vulvodynia, and said antidepressants must be tested as first line of treatment.  

Thankful for any input as we are quite frustrated at this point!

does she really want to get better? than she should take the medication and suck it up. Unless she gets life threatening side effects from the Amitriptyline she needs to start taking medication, because there are few other alternative treatments out there. Parasites don't cause vulvodynia, for crying out loud, ignore the user above me. The side effects go away in 2-3 months anyway.

the light bleeding sounds like PCOS, it can go away with time....it could also be HPV related, when did she have her last swab ?

vulvodynia doesn't come with bleeding.

I feel for your wife because doctors are retarded and useless and it can be exhausting having to deal with idiots on a frequent basis.  The irritated tissue.. it's something I have from time to time .. it's hard to say what causes it ..can you try seeing a urogyn instead of a "normal! gyn? Or the clinic in Rochester if you're in US, they are the best I've heard.

I was able to achieve remission from pain using medication ..right now I am controlling the nerve pain very well with medication and lidocaine ointment.

For painful intercourse one can try dilators, it gets the muscles and tissues used to pressure again.

so all the treatments out there: at least 2 3 different medications, lidocaine, pelvic physiotherapy, the dilators, CBT, or sexual sounselling, gabapentin cream, nerve blocks....

Amitriptyline works because pain is an output of the brain, it can, in lucky cases, "reset" the nervous system to stop sending pain messages

Ok, many thanks for the replies and information!

We suspected that bleeding (even light bleeding) isn't a typical symptom of Vulvodynia, and hence that something else might be going on as well. I guess she has nerve pain (Vulvodynia) because she is really sensitive down there, and for that Amitriptyline is probably the best or even only idea. But as said, I think the bleeding indicates that something else must go on in addition and that could probably reinforce the nerve pain. We tried to introduce the idea to the latest gyn, but she kind of scoffed it off and said that Vulvodynia can "cause some irritation, but that tissue irritation should heal with time".

With my experience no bleeding or any type of skin change is not normal. Vulvodynia has no skin symptoms for most. She needs to see a specialist. Ampitripline works a little for nerve pain, but the side effects cause constipation and it will make her tired!

Your wife should look into the treatment called Mona Lisa Touch. It's a fairly new treatment discovered in Paris and there are active clinical trials being done in the U.S now. They are having good results for women with vulvodynia if done by the right doctor. With all the redness, irritation, and bleeding it sounds like there is a major skin component. The Mona Lisa Touch really helps with those kinds of symptoms. Do some google research on it!

Many thanks for the additional replies! Yes, we have also understood that Vulvodynia normally do not come with any obvious skin symptoms, tissue irritation, bleeding etc. Will look into the Mona Lisa Touch treatment, thanks for the tip!

I can see why your wife is worried about antidepressants due to past experiences. Also, she is so lucky to have a husband so concerned about her position that he joins a support group in attempts to help her! Sadly, I do not have much great advice. I've noticed for myself personally, when I have bad flare ups, taking epsom salt baths help a lot in terms of soothing the aggravated tissue. Light bleeding however is not normal, unless it occurs after sex. I wish you luck!

leoscc wrote:I can see why your wife is worried about antidepressants due to past experiences. Also, she is so lucky to have a husband so concerned about her position that he joins a support group in attempts to help her! Sadly, I do not have much great advice. I've noticed for myself personally, when I have bad flare ups, taking epsom salt baths help a lot in terms of soothing the aggravated tissue. Light bleeding however is not normal, unless it occurs after sex. I wish you luck!

Thanks for your reply and epsom salt recommendation! The light bleeding occurs every few days (some drops on the toilet paper ) without any particular reason (such as sex).