Testimonio desde Francia

I'm Lou, I'm 28 years old. I'm currently living in France. The first time I felt the pain I was really taken aback. For months, I had a sharp pelvic pain that went all the way to my thighs and I couldn't tell exactly where it came from. I spent about a year and half without a proper diagnosis. The doctors I visited didn't see anything wrong and I felt like they weren't even willing to look further. Eventually I decided to stop seeking for medical advice and tried going on birth control as self medication. That's when I met the gynecologist who knew about vestibulodynia. 8 years later my pain has become minimal but I'm still searching for the root cause so I can hopefully get rid of it.

My first treatments consisted in numbing and healing creams. It helped me a lot over the years pain-wise. I also did physical therapy and it helped me a little with feeling pleasure again during penetrative sex. I still have things left to try as I'm learning everyday about my condition. I use coconut oil or a healing cream every day to moisturize my vulva and calm my intimate skin. I also take probiotics to prevent irritations during my period. I try to listen to my body as much as I can and I apply my PT's breathing technics to relax my pelvic floor muscles throughout the day and during intimacy.

I used to be super angry at my body and thought how unfair this condition is. It made me very sad and pessimistic for the longest time until I realized my body was suffering and I need to take care of it. I'm not always in peace with my body but I'm much more positive now. I know I can act on my condition, I know I'm not alone, I know sex is so much more than a penis going inside a vagina, I know my value is not defined by my vestibulodynia, I know I can thrive alone and in a relationship and I know things can get better.