The Clitoris: The Accession to Sexual Arousal

What most people think of clitoris is that it's just a small spot-like mass present above the opening of the vagina but in fact, it is an erectile organ and a considerably larger complex. The clitoris is believed to be the core of female sexual arousal. It spurs great pleasure during sexual intercourse. The entire reason for its presence in a woman's body is to support her attain orgasm. The clitoris is extensively innervated with the nerve fibers. These nerve fibers cause erectile tissues of the clitoris to swell up, in response to stimulation.

But, what if you undergo piercing pain in the clitoris or experience continuous chronic pelvic pain? The heart of your pleasure becomes the origin of your agony. This pain is medically termed as Clitorodynia.

Clitorodynia:

It is a subcategory of localized Vulvodynia. Vulvodynia is a chronic pain condition in which the vulvar area including the clitoris and external genitals gets affected. The cause of the pain can be known such as provoked by touching or tight clothes or unknown in case of clitorodynia. Many women experience vulvodynia flare-ups that too cause severe clitoral pain.

Symptoms:

The symptoms of the clitorodynia, regardless of the cause, may include one or more of the ones mentioned below:

●      vulvar itching

●     burning pain

●     acute pains

●     scratching sensation upon touch

●     swollen clitoral tissue

●     vaginal itching

●     searing pain

●     stabbing pain

Causes of Clitorodynia:

The clitoral pain can arise from many different factors or due to various physical problems working collectively.

Hormonal Changes

Fluctuations between the levels of hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone, can cause vulvar and clitoral pain. Low estrogen can result in vaginal atrophy (dryness) and other physical complications. Hormones are the body's regulatory messengers that control everything from bone growth to fertility.

Hypertonic Pelvic Floor Muscle Dysfunction

Hypertonic pelvic floor muscle dysfunction is the abnormal tightening of the pelvic floor muscles making them unable to relax. Tightened muscles make sex painful, cause constipation, and other pelvic health problems, like clitoral pain.

Pudendal Neuralgia

Pudendal neuralgia is a dysfunction of pelvis and genitals that causes numbness, severe discomfort, or pain in the pelvic region. The most common reason for the dysfunction is pudendal nerve damage. This nerve passes from external of the pelvis to the bottom of the vagina before it branches to other nerves.

Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD)

PGAD is feeling sexually active all the time without any release or outlet of genital arousal. While this may appear like a problem that doesn't cause pain, it can bring about burning and stinging sensation along with wetness, and soreness that never goes away. 

Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia (VIN)

VIN is an external or non-invasive sore on the vulva. It can be a forerunner of skin cancer that develops between the middle and outer layers. VIN is normally not a life-threatening condition, but it can be persistent.

Lichen Sclerosus

Lichen sclerosus is a unique, recurring skin condition in the genitals identified by the white patches of skin that are thin and sensitive.

Vulvar Vestibulitis

Vulvar vestibulitis is dyspareunia at the opening of the vagina or exactly at the clitoris. Chronic vulva vestibulitis can cause endless flare-ups for years on the exposure to sexual activity, touch, or inserting a tampon. However, clit pain can be continuous and palpitating with little relief.

   

Other Clitorodynia Causes

In case none of the above causes is the basis for your Clitorodynia, the following can be the contributors.

●     yeast infection

●     interstitial cystitis

●     hypo-active sexual desire disorder

●     uterine fibroids

●     sexual trauma

●     sexually transmitted diseases

●     contact dermatitis

For its diagnosis, talk to your healthcare provider or doctor about your vaginal pain indications.

Treatments of Clitorodynia

The particular treatment for clitoral stabbing pain depends on what causes the problem. You may need to attempt more than one of the traditional Clitorodynia treatments in order to find pain relief.

Gentle Care

Clitoral pain causes critical problems with females health. It's necessary to get rid of the pain with good female hygiene.

Wash the swollen area with luke-warm water and use non-synthetic personal care products on painful skin.

If fitted clothes or using tampons aggravates your pain, change your preferences to dodge a Clitorodynia flare-up. Similarly, with any health situation, it's essential to take good care of yourself.

Topical Solutions

Other solutions include the application of creams, lotions, and anesthetic gel over the vulval area. Ache and signs of spontaneous clitorodynia are usually reduced by topical hormone therapy (HT) and topical anesthetics. Applying estrogen creams can prove effective in switching the symptoms because it acts directly on vaginal tissue's Estrogen Receptors to reestablish normal target function.

Treatment examples include topical hormone creams comprising of estrogen and testosterone, topical anesthetics containing lidocaine, and products that include an anticonvulsant or antidepressant ingredient. It is advised to apply them 15 to 20 minutes prior to sexual activity, or when needed. Some of these products are available for purchase online, at the harbor compounding pharmacy.