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Welcome to the VPS website. Here you will find advice and information on all vulval pain matters. You can read detailed information about Vulvodynia, Vestibulodynia, Lichen Sclerosus, and other conditions. We offer advice on sex, pregnancy, and other good advice.
The Vulval Pain Society (VPS) is a confidential service for women who suffer from vulval pain due to vestibulodynia and vulvodynia. The Society was set up in 1996 by gynaecologist David Nunns and nurse Diane Hamdy. The VPS is not externally funded or attached to any health service organisation.
The Aims of the Charity as set out in the Governing Document are:
- To promote and protect the physical and mental health of sufferers of vulval pain through the provision of support, education and practical advice
- To advance the education of the general public in all areas relating to vulval pain.
We believe in common-sense advice based on what evidence there is - we try not to be controversial and promote specific treatments, but to give you the necessary information on your options so you can decide what treatments may benefit you most. Frequently it is up to you to go and try different treatments. Please do read our legal disclaimer: everyone is different and what will help one woman will not necessarily help another.We do not encourage you to self diagnose, but ideally to work with a health professional you can trust.
Please bear in mind that this is a UK charity and is aimed specifically at those seeking solutions mainly within the UK nationalised health system. It may therefore not be so relevant to US readers, who might prefer to check the Help on the Web and Links to other organisations sections.
News
- Charity Firewalk, Saturday 3 March 2012
Raise money for the VPS, or any other charity of your choice, by taking part in the challenge of a lifetime! Bridie Nelson, the creator of 'Daring Daisy', is organising a Fabulous Charity Firewalk, to take place at a secret location in North Wiltshire next year. For further information, visit Bridie's website at www.bridienelson.com/?page_id=1431.
- NEW - VPS butterfly pendant available!
We are excited to announce a new venture with jeweller Sarah Chilia, who has created exclusively for the VPS this beautiful and unusual pendant featuring the Vulval Pain Society's butterfly logo worked in silver with red enamel. Read more...
- New TV show wants to hear about people's various medical issues
Do you suffer from a mystery illness? Aches, pain or other symptoms which won't go away?
Are you worried your lifestyle is putting a strain on your health?
From back pain to asthma, stomach complaints to headaches, whatever your symptoms - we want to hear from you.
Our doctors are looking to explore different medical treatments - from traditional modern medicine to more unconventional alternatives. If you, or anyone you know, would be interested in taking part or finding out more, please contact Phil Bostwick at philbostwick@tigeraspect.co.uk, or on 0207 544 1697
- Research: New UK-based chiropractic study needs participants!
- Interested in trying out chiropractic treatment and participating in vulvodynia research? The VPS is very pleased to announce a brand new study, here in the UK, which will assess the benefits of McTimoney chiropractic treatment for vulval pain. This is exciting news as until now, there has been very little research into vulvodynia or its treatment here in the UK. This chiropractic study will therefore break new ground. If you're living in the UK and are interested in trying chiropractic for your vulval pain, please consider taking part in this study - we desperately need research to effectively treat and eventually cure vulvodynia, but it won't happen without participants. For further details on the study, click on McTimoney chiropractic study into vulvodynia.
- Update on the 4th February 2011: Teva UK tell us that Lidocaine 5% will be available before the end of next week, possibly this week.
- The British Society for the Study of Vulval Disease is an organisation of health professionals who have an interest in vulval disease. They now have a list of vulval clinic/services in the UK. See the 'Events' page of their website for information. As a patient you cannot self-refer to these clinics but you could discuss referral with your GP. They have also recently published Guidelines for the Management of Vulvodynia
- Three new Podcasts are available here on this site to listen to. The latest addition is a presentation by Helen Forth, Lead Physiotherapist - Women's Health, Royal Free Hospital, London recorded at the VPS Super Workshop held in London on the 4th December 2010.
- Difficulty in getting lidoocaine gel? Miller and Mller make 2% Lignocaine gel in a 30ml tube. They only supply to named patients so your pharmacist needs to fax an order on their headed paper together with a copy of your prescription to them on 020 85006124
- The London Vulval Pain Support Group's "Smears without tears: a patient's guide to getting through your speculum exam with minimal suffering and your dignity intact" has been revised, please click here to download the latest version.
Click here to read more news or navigate from the menu on the left.
The VPS question
Please participate in our poll question below. Your answer is completely anonymous.
How long have you had your condition?