How to Treat Vestibulitis

Step 1

Visit a physician for proper diagnosis of the condition and for recommendations for medications and therapies that may help treat the vestibulitis.

Step 2

Take medication. A health care professional may prescribe a tricyclic antidepressant medication such as desipramine or amitriptyline or an antiseizure medication such as gabapentin or carbamazepine, according to the Mayo Clinic. These medications may help lessen the pain associated with the condition.

Step 3

Find a support group. Women suffering from vestibulitis may find help talking to other women who experience the same symptoms, according to the British Medical Journal.

Step 4

Use topical treatments. Prescription lidocaine ointments numb the vulvlar area so a woman will experience decreased pain during sexual intercourse.

Step 5

Practice good hygiene. Avoid using scented soaps and products to clean the vulvular area because these products can cause irritation and lead to pain. Excessive washing can exacerbate the condition, but when washing, plain water is best for genital hygiene. Soak in a bath with added baking soda to help relieve itching and burning.

Step 6

Surgical options. Undergo a surgical procedure to remove excessive skin at the hymeneal ring, if that is the area causing pain.

Step 7

Step 8

Use lubricants. Select and apply a water-based lubricant can before sexual intercourse or other activities that may cause pain, such as inserting a tampon.

Step 9

Follow a low oxalate diet to help ease the pain. This diet may help individuals who experience kidney stones and may help the pain associated with vestibulitis. High-oxalate foods to avoid include items such as chocolate, soy milk, nuts, whole wheat bread, cocoa and grits. Fruits and vegetables high in oxalate include blueberries, blackberries, kiwi, celery, carrots and spinach. Foods low in oxalate that a woman may eat freely include beef, pork, poultry, apple juice, milk, cucumbers, peppermint and honey, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Step 10

Get beneficial nutrients. Drink at least 8 oz of cranberry juice each day to increase the acid levels of the urine in the bladder and decrease irritation in the bladder, according to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.