Nancy Appleton PhD and G.N. Jacobs
© 2009 Nancy Appleton Books
https://nancyappletonbooks.wordpress.com
Doctors just love giving medical conditions fancy names with Latin roots to make us tremble when they give the diagnosis. Vulvodynia is one such word. Derived from vulva (a key part of the female anatomy) and dynamo (an active, irrepressible machine or energy source), the word translates to plain English as the poor woman has a lot of chronic pain down there.
The condition typically presents with stinging, burning and/or itching sensations that can really zap a woman’s sense of wellbeing. If men put great store in their virility and testosterone production (see article), then vulvodynia is one female equivalent that results in less sex, depression, low self-esteem and a general hit to quality of life from not exercising or riding bikes to avoid the pain. One estimate says that 14 million women in the U.S. and up to 16-percent worldwide have this condition, which is not contagious, nor is it related in any way to sexually transmitted disease.
Is there a cure or treatment? Mainstream medicine has been slow to come up with a definitive answer. In 2006, a researcher at the University of Michigan wrote an article that gives an overview of the symptoms and many treatments available once a woman is diagnosed with vulvodynia.
One condition of the diagnosis requires that a woman have the pain without the usual suspect – Candida Albicans (yeast infection) – being present. Doctors poke and swab and find nothing under the microscope. So, the article meanders through discussions of nerve sensitivity, cognitive behavior therapy and pelvic floor muscles. However, there are some interesting tidbits for the holistic minded in that several key phrases common to Dr. Appleton’s work popped up: inflammation, immune system, allergies and diet.[i]
The first question to ask is did this researcher overlook Candida as a cause simply because it couldn’t be found on a microscope slide? Can the yeast infection change form and continue to cause pain in women after the topical ointment has killed off the infection, which typically is found on the surface?
Obviously, we’re asking the question like a lawyer, we already knew the answer to be yes. According to Marjorie Crandall, vulvodynia is caused in many cases by a Candida infection seeping through tissues and cell membranes. The infection becomes dormant in terms of growth, but continues to irritate causing pain.[ii]
So if Candida can cause vulvodynia, what causes Candida? Again we knew the answer: allergies and sugar. We will refer to our article 141 Reasons Why Sugar is Ruining Your Health – Sugar assists the uncontrolled growth of Candida Albicans.[iii]
Dr. Crandall suggests that the treatments and prevention regime for Candida is what is required for vulvodynia only switching out the topical antifungal creams for a systemic antifungal taken orally to make sure the patient gets the yeast that has entered her vulva and vagina. She also notes that allergies play a role in the development of symptoms saying, “Some women notice that their symptoms worsen 12 to 72 hours after eating certain foods.”[iv]
Other researchers have noted a high correlation between yeast and other symptoms of allergies meaning that people who have one seem to have the other. A study from Brazil showed that 71-percent of the Candida group also had allergic rhinitis (classical nasal allergy symptoms like runny nose and watery eyes).[v]
Most information about Candida says that prevention includes a diet free of sugar, alcohol, coffee and refined carbohydrates along with removing anything that can change the woman’s hormone balance like birth control pills and antibiotics.[vi] For women who specifically have vulvodynia as opposed to regular Candida on the surface, further dietary recommendations include going on the Low Oxalate Diet originally indicated for kidney stones.
Foods to avoid completely on the Low Oxalate Diet: spinach, rhubarb, beets, strawberries, nuts, chocolate, tea, coffee, cola and wheat bran.
Foods to limit: White corn grits, wheat germ, whole-wheat flour, berries, concord grapes, red currants, Damson plums, citrus peels, tangerines, fruity deserts, baked beans in tomato sauce, peanut butter, tofu, sweet potatoes, vegetable soup without vegetables, beans, dark leafy greens (swiss chard, endive, escarole, parsley), eggplant, leeks, summer squash and draft beer.
Your health care professional will have the last word on what you should remove from your diet to heal vulvodynia or kidney stones for that matter.
We have talked about sugar and allergies as seemingly separate causes of vulvodynia, but Dr. Appleton has always asserted that allergies are also the result of too much sugar in the diet. The very first statement in 141 Reasons is sugar can suppress the immune system.[vii] Sugar depletes minerals that make hormones work and said hormones are part of the immune system’s proper functioning. An allergy is merely a precursor response that can later develop into whatever disease comes next, because the immune system fights off the food allergy instead of the rapidly growing Candida.
Sugar causes everything and vulvodynia is but one more example.
https://nancyappletonbooks.wordpress.com
[i] Reed, BD “Vulvodynia: Diagnosis and Management” Am Fam Physician 2006;73:1231-8, 1239.
[ii] Crandall, M “Allergic Predisposition and Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis” Journal of Advancement in Medicine, Spring 1991;4(1):21-38.
[iii] Crook, W. J. The Yeast Connection. (TN: Professional Books, 1984).
[iv] Crandall, M “Allergic Predisposition and Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis” Journal of Advancement in Medicine, Spring 1991;4(1):21-38.
[v] Moraes, PS “Recurrent Vaginal Candidiasis and Allergic rhinitis: A Common Association” Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 1998 Aug;81(2):165-9.
[vi] http://www.empowher.com/media/reference/vaginal-yeast-infection#prevention viewed July 9, 2009
[vii] Sanchez, A, et al. “Role of Sugars in Human Neutrophilic Phagocytosis.” Am J Clin Nutr. Nov 1973; 261: 1180-1184.
Nancy Appleton Books Health Blog 
I totally agree with all of this and if we understand sugars and yeast, Yeast eats sugar and its waste is ALCOHOL
which is very interesting in itself.
Thank you Dr. for all the research you have done to prove what I argue all the time with the Drug and Alcohol industry, that the true problem of Alcoholism isnt alcohol, which is sugar, is that the problem is always and has been SUGAR!
That is the true “Drug”.
I have 18 years of sobriety, and i continue to get landblasted by my peers for my beliefs on this. When someone says a drug is a drug is a drug and refuses to look at alcohol as Sugar which is what it really is, we fail to help the alcoholic and the real problems they continue to suffer from.
Thank you again,
Sue L.
Long story short. I was diagnosed with vulvadynia after 13 doctors and 21 perscriptions, 2 holistic docs & 60 different supplements with no end in site. I figured out on my own it was my house. I moved out 8 months later the pain & symtoms were gone. My house had black mold in the attic & in the walls. I had lived in the home for 9 years, my immune system could no longer fight off the bacteria. After months of no pain i decided to bleach my bathroom floor, within 15 min the pain was back. Im guessing environmental allergy. As long as i stay clear of both im completely fine.
Dear Nancy
Having been diagnosed with vulvodynia at the age of 20, I have just recently (seven years later) been lucky enough to have my condition successfully treated and I really wanted to share my experience with fellow sufferers. I found your article and saw that you have provided a forum for women to share their thoughts and stories, I hope my story will help someone.
I first became aware that my vagina was not functioning as it should be when I tried to use a tampon for the first time, at age 12. Even at the age of 16, after four years of trying, I was unable to penetrate my vagina with a tampon and my attempts were accompanied by a searing pain. I got my first serious boyfriend at 17 and, as I expected, was unable to have penetrative sex with him without extreme pain and discomfort. This also brought with it obvious emotional stress even though my boyfriend (and all my boyfriends since then) was extremely understanding about it. I must stress at this point that I have always been able to have very pleasurable and “normal” non-penetrative sex, and that the vulvodynia affected me solely during intercourse or when trying to use a tampon or insert fingers into my vagina.
I went to see a doctor at a local sexual health centre, she examined me and said that I was completely normal, just needed to use lube and relax. She said I may have been sexually abused or raped in my early life and have forgotten this later in life – a suggestion which I obviously found highly upsetting and unhelpful. I was sent to a psycho-sexual therapist who was lovely, but perplexed as she said she found my condition to be entirely physical and was surprised by my otherwise positive and confident attitude towards sex and my own body.
When I was 20 I had penetrative sex for long enough that my boyfriend ejaculated, the first time this had happened, and the burning and pain which followed led me to be certain this was a real physical issue. Shortly afterwards I was diagnosed with vulvodynia by a gynecologist. Over the next seven years I saw gynecologists, vulval dermatologists, pain management specialists and biofeedback physiotherapists. I was given topical steroids, topical anesthetics, biofeedback treatment, tricyclical antidepressants and strong relaxant drugs usually used to treat MS patients, none of which had any impact whatsoever.
Finally, last year I met Dr William McCormack from the SUNY Downstate Medical Center who confirmed that I had vulvodynia and vaginismus. He recommended that I see a pelvic floor physical therapist and referred me to Dr Gopi Jhaveri from Brooklyn Health Physical Therapy (www.brooklynhealthpt.com) who I now regard as something of a guardian angel! She explained to me that my pelvic floor muscles had become completely dysfunctional and had been so tight for so many years that they had caused the skin of my vagina to become dehydrated and sore. She was so incredibly knowledgeable about my condition (and lovely!) and put me on a course of treatment which lasted for four months, during which time I saw her twice a week.
The treatment consisted of her manually stretching my vagina with her fingers, and massaging my thighs and stomach for 30 minutes twice a week. She then encouraged me to do a series of simple exercises every day which stretch my inner thigh muscles and strengthen my outer thigh muscles. She also suggested I put almond oil on my vagina and labia every morning, and put Lidocaine ointment on every night and showed me how to do effective kegel exercises. She gave me a set of vaginal dilators which I use three times a week. She also gave me tips for making intercourse easier, such as using paraben- and glycerin-free lube and pushing out with my muscles as my partner pushes in. The result has been dramatic. I am now able to have completely pain free intercourse several times a week with no side-effects. The treatment is easy, cheap and painless. It really has changed my life.
Anyway, that’s my story of success! I hope you are able to share it with others.
Many thanks
Chloe
Thank you for positively addressing the low oxalate diet and the anti-candida diet as viable and effective treatments for vulvodynia. I know many women through the Vulvar Pain Foundation who have been helped by diet. I’m one! The low oxalate diet has helped me tremendously! I highly encourage any woman with vulvodynia or vulvar vestibulitis to research this treatment (especially to find updated and accurate food lists–most old ones, even those given to patients by doctors have inaccurate information from now outdated testing methods . For example, strawberries only have about 8 mg. oxalate/half cup and can be eaten in moderation on the LOD). I also have found that my allergies are much better when I’m on a LOD and my fibromyalgia symptoms have completely healed.
Heidi
http://lowoxalatefamily.wordpress.com
Stepping up your personal hygiene habits can help to prevent recurring yeast infections. After using the bathroom, you should avoid wiping from back to font. Instead, you should do the reverse. This prevents the spread of bacteria and yeast that might otherwise be transferred from the anal area to the vagina. Wiping properly and thoroughly can save you a great deal of discomfort.
Help!!
I could use some encouragement here for sure. 11 years of frquent yeast, itching, burning, raw painful skin around vagina, stabbing clitoral pain and on and on it goes. I have had biopsies, medications, creams, doctors, accupuncture, vibrators, nerve blocks, physical therapy and probably other stuff that is not coming to mind now. I am miserable and my gyno told me to lather myself everyday with Crisco, which she says has no adverse side effects or drying qualities. Has anyone heard of this??
I have also had a complete hystorectomy and I feel I am very thin skinned down there. I am on a very strict Candida diet the past week and hoping for some relief. It seems ??? that heat stirs this up and acidic urine possibly??
At this point, it seems you have very little left to lose. Changing your diet to include a lot less sugar should help, as it seems to help others in your situation. But, we’re not MDs and we can’t go beyond should, probably will or may in giving our advice. However, the doctor would be the very first one sending you nice thoughts and simply telling you to keep working your problem until you get the results you want.
G.N. Jacobs for Nancy Appleton
Had this and irritated urethra (even just bending to pick up something off the floor). Lower oxalates Very slowly helped me. Almonds are super high. WOnder why dried figs high but fresh are not high in oxalates.
My daughter has had this condition at age 19 for one year.At its worst she could not leave the house as she was in so much pain. She has got it under control now with only an occasional flare up for a couple of hours. She now only washes her clothes in very gentle non bio baby wash. No fabric softener. She will double rinse underwear and trousers towels etc. she uses non perfume non paraben sls free shampoo and hair conditioner. She wears 100% cotton pants only. She follows low oxalates diet and has baths in bicarbonate of soda solutions.
She restricts sugar coke alcohol beans fried food.
I hope this helps. I really feel for you.
Peanut butter gave me vulvodynia.
I have a peanut allergy but usually it only give me a itch throat and acne.
I am 6 months pregnant at the moment and two weeks ago I started suffering from very painful vulvodynia to the point where I could not walk properly. It honestly felt like someone had thrown acid on my labia. It was horrible.
I could not even wear underwear at one point and had to walk with my legs open.
At first I thought it was just a pregnancy symptom as I read many articles online about women having sensitive vaginas during pregnancy.
However by accident I came across one article where someone said theirs was caused by a food allergy.
Immediately i realised that only recently i started having a peanut butter craving and thought maybe there was a correlation as I am aware that I have a peanut allergy.
However I never got this type of reaction before to peanuts in my life.
.
So today I decided to experiment after being in excruciating pain last night.
So last night I drank lots of water in an attempt to get rid of the peanut butter in my system. I woke up this morning and felt completely normal down there .
So then the test – I avoided peanut butter all day today and voila no pain or discomfort. I feel normal again. No soreness at all down there. Such a miracle.
This is so strange.
Maybe my baby also has a peanut allergy because looking back now I noticed that he would also move about a lot after I ate peanut butter. I thought it was because he liked it but maybe it was his way or warning me that it wasn’t good for both of us.
Thank god for the internet or I would have gone to the doctor and he would have probably wrongly diagnosed me as having an infection or pregnancy related illness.