Vulvar vestibulitis is pain that occurs in in the entrance to the vagina. Some women who encounter this burning or otherwise irritating sensation might fear they have a sexually transmitted disease, but this is not the case. There is no specific cause for this problem, but there are a variety of ways that the problem can be alleviated. If you fear you have this problem, consult your doctor, but in the meantime, try some of these prevention and treatment options.

Avoid Things That Can Irritate

If you occasionally develop vulvar vestibulitis, you will want to take steps to limit things that can introduce irritants into your vagina. Use only laundry detergent that is dermatologically approved on your panties. When wiping your vagina, use toilet paper that is plain and does not have a special scent or color in it. When washing in that region, be careful not to get any shampoo or soap into your vaginal opening.

Avoid Pressure

If despite your best efforts to avoid irritants, the problem has reoccurred, you should avoid activities that can cause further inflammation. One thing in particular that can cause problems is anything that introduces pressure into the inside of your vagina. If you want to try and have sex, use a water-soluble lubricant. Do not sit on any kind of seat where you have to straddle your legs over each side of the chair, like a bicycle. 

Ease the Pain

If the pain has become unbearable, you need to get to a doctor for professional help. In the meantime, there are a number of home remedies you can try to treat the issue. Soak yourself in a bath, but make sure the water is lukewarm or cool and not either too hot or too cold. If the problem pops up after sex, apply ice to your vagina using a towel. Some women respond better to a heating pad than to ice, so try both and see which one feels better for you. Closing your eyes and meditating on something pleasant may also help ease the pain.

Vulvar vestibulitis has no specific known cause, but there are a number of things you can do that are proven to help prevent it from occurring. Avoid introducing any irritants into your vagina and be careful not to put a lot of pressure around the area if you are prone to developing this problem. When the problem does occur, try an ice pack or a heating pad to see if one will help ease your particular pain. Once again, the best solution if this is a frequent problem is to contact a doctor.