Preparing for an appointment

You're likely to start by seeing your primary care provider. In some cases, you'll be referred to a doctor who specializes in conditions of the female reproductive tract (gynecologist).

What you can do

Make a list of:

• Your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment, and when they began
• Your medical history, including other conditions for which you're being treated
• All medications, vitamins or other supplements you take, including doses
• Questions to ask your doctor

For vulvodynia, questions to ask your doctor include:

• What could be causing my symptoms?
• What tests do you recommend?
• What treatments are most likely to improve my symptoms?
• Is this condition permanent or temporary?
• When might I expect to get relief from my discomfort?
• I have other medical conditions. How can I manage them together?
• Do you have brochures or other printed material I can have? What websites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you questions, such as:

• How severe is your pain, and how long does it last?
• How would you describe your pain — sharp or dull, continuous or intermittent?
• Is your pain usually triggered by a specific event, such as intercourse or exercise?
• Do you feel pain during urination or a bowel movement?
• Does your menstrual cycle affect your pain?
• Does anything make your pain better or worse?
• Have you had pelvic surgery?
• Have you been pregnant or could you be pregnant now?
• Have you been treated for urinary tract or vaginal infections?