Vulvodynia

Your healthcare provider will diagnose vulvodynia by ruling out other conditions that may be causing your pain. They’ll ask about your medical, sexual and surgery history. They’ll also ask about your symptoms, including where you’re experiencing pain, what the pain feels like, when your vulva hurts and how badly it hurts.

Tests and procedures used to diagnose vulvodynia may include:

Physical exam. Your provider will inspect your vulva and perform a pelvic exam with a speculum to assess your vagina and cervix. Your cervix is the opening between your vagina and uterus. Your provider will also evaluate your pelvic floor muscles to identify painful areas.
Cotton swab test (point-pressure testing). Your provider will brush a cotton swab gently over parts of your vulva and ask when (and where) the contact feels painful. This test is especially helpful for diagnosing localized pain in your vulvar vestibule.
Swabs to test for infection. These tests can rule out conditions that may cause vulvar pain, like sexually transmitted infections (STIs), bacterial vaginosis, and yeast infections.

In rare instances, your provider may order a colposcopy or a biopsy of your vulva to rule out conditions unrelated to vulvodynia that may be causing your pain.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment

Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

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