For the last 7 years, I've suffered from a depressed vagina. Can you believe that’s a real thing? I take antidepressants for it everyday. It's a condition called vulvodynia, which causes persistent pain in my labia and at the entrance to my vagina. For the 2 years before I'd been diagnosed, I would often wake up in the night in tears from the sunburn-like pain radiating from my vulva. Doctors told me it was thrush, dermatitis - even allergies to soap powder. I tried lotions, pessaries, ice packs, huge cotton undies. Sometimes I couldn't sit down, I felt unsexy and unfeminine. For me, finally taking tablets and being able to control some of the pain is a tiny triumph. I know there are lots of women out there struggling with vulval pain which often goes misdiagnosed and mistreated. It's because we don't talk about our bodies enough, and vaginal problems are something we've become ashamed of. Don't let years pass you by before you take control of your vaginal health. If you've had similar symptoms, you might have vulvodynia. Go ask your doctor for a full check up. Self care is best care ♥️

V. - 26 years old