Would you say you're stressed?

Just curious if general stress and tension is common among us all. Not afterwards but perhaps as a common cause/contributor?

Yeah I would say I am a stressed person also a very big worrier over small things always have been :/ x

Yes I was extremely stressed and anxiety when my v started

Yes, I was also extremely stressed at the time. Probably more stressed than I have ever been in my then 65 years on earth. I was thinking it was from holding muscles tight on the right side because of my left pelvic fx, but when I think of it, it is probably both together. Mine is from pelvic muscle dysfunction, we are 99% sure of this. Skin and tissue look fine, just had a gyn appointment on Monday. I am about sick to death of this. The only thing I think that keeps me from eating a bullet is that the burning goes away at night while I'm sleeping (not stress or pressure on the muscles) and usually does not start back until about 10 AM. I so feel for you guys that are hurting all the time and for such a long long time. I cannot not imagine such burning for such a long time. I do have some contact V when my husband wants sex but with lots of lub it is usually bearable.

Yes and a big worrier about every little thing!

My V started after one of the most stressful times in my life.

This is very interesting. I hope someone would do an investigation into this. I think we have hit upon a very common thing. All the girls answering yet to this, have you come to the conclusion that it is pelvic floor dysfunction/muscle underlying cause?

one more question, have any of your taken a warm bath with soda to help relieve the inflamation in there?

A bath of any sort for me is off limits. I seriously believe vulvodynia is caused by stress affecting the nervous system. I am a sufferer of anxiety but I went through the worst time of my life then vulvodynia started. There has to be a link I am convinced.

thanks for posting everyone. I too am a worrier/clencher and have many tight muscles. My stress was something I never noticed until my vulvodynia flared up again in my 20s. It's interesting that so far we all share this commonality.

okey dokey, now that we know it's stress and muscle clenching and the like, why can't someone come up with the answer to stop it, put it to rest, make it relax. Oh my God, I so need to find a way to make them relax and fix the nerves that I am sure it has affected.

yes, I can be a very stressed out person, have always had anxiety problems, etc. but I try my best to manage it through various outlets like meditation, exercise, getting enough sleep...I think there's definitely a connection and I have read before that a lot of women with vulvodynia or chronic pain in general also have issues like anxiety, depression, etc.

in my particular case I don't think pelvic floor dysfunction is the root of the issue, I think it stems from autoimmunity and skin problems.

I did have pelvic floor dysfunction but physical therapy fixed that. The root of my problem is the nerves. My theory is that it is also caused by something autoimmune as I do have a few of those diseases.