Remember when I wrote that I’d read that vulvadynia was related to constriction of blood flow in the pelvis? That makes sense to me as a survivor and I’ve been paying attention since I read it. I realize that I have habit of clenching this part of my body, particularly when I’m feeling pain, and that this probably started when my vulva was injured in the rapes.
There are yoga postures which increase the blood flow to your pelvis. Do a google search on fertility and yoga and you’ll come up with a bunch of them. The one I’ve been doing is to lay on my side with my legs bent from the hip and skooge my butt up close to the wall, then allow my legs to go up the wall. All the blood from the legs drains down over the next several minutes. It’s called Viparita Karani. Here’s a link to a more detailed explanation of the pose: http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/1140
Doing this has brought me out of a really bad bout of vulvadynia (pain in the vulva) and it’s definitely down to almost nothing. Yay! I’m hopeful that doing this sort of thing regularly will maybe allow the skin or whatever to heal. Chances are the vascular damage my nurse-practitioner found (also resulting from the rapes) is a factor in limiting blood flow too, or perhaps is the root cause, but iether way, this helps. I’ll keep you posted if it resolves it completely.
Thank Goddess!
(also see more self care for injured vulvae here and here)
And also: Eureka – take that, vulvadynia!
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This is a great tip!! Thanks for sharing it with the blog carnival against child abuse.
Thanks Tracie and Marja, it’s nice to know others find this helpful. I know I couldn’t find much on long term care for vaginal injury when I was first looking
I’m so glad that yoga posture was so helpful for you. I remember being at some yoga classes and loving that one. Maybe it’s just having my private regions safely up against a wall, I don’t know. Thanks for contributing to the blog carnival. I’m sure this information will be quite helpful for others who have vaginal penetration as part of their childhood sexual abuse.
Thanks for sharing this information. I have done this particular exercise before at someone’s suggestion but I forget what my problem at the time was. This information is good to know.
You’re welcome. I’m glad it’s helpful.
SDW
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I’m so so glad you’re finding something that helps. I absolutely LOVE yoga – or did when I practised regularly. Like much of my life that drifted when things fell apart, but I really want to get back to it.
I keep hearing such wonderful things about yoga. Yay Warrior!
I’m glad that you are finding some solutions. Good and healing thoughts to you.
Kate
I am so, so glad this is working for you! Wow. Good for you for continuing to search for relief… and finding some!
Happy Dance for you,
~meredith~