What Are The Triggers Of Vulvar Pain? 14 Common Causes

Genetic Disorders

Genetic diseases that cause vulvar pain are rare but difficult to diagnose and treat. Vulvodynia, or chronic vulvar pain, is a type of chronic pain syndrome which causes persistent or recurring burning pain in the vulvar area. This can lead to infections, skin problems like lichen sclerosis and vulvovaginal atrophy, and other issues.

The most common cause of vulvodynia is interstitial cystitis, which causes pain in the bladder. The cause is unknown for both vulvodynia and interstitial cystitis, but genetic disorders may cause both. Some research suggests that vulvodynia could be connected to a genetic disorder called familial dysautonomia. This disease is characterized by autonomic nervous system disorders, which control involuntary body functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, temperature regulation, and bladder function. 

Familial dysautonomia can also cause chronic pain in various body parts, including the vulva. In some cases, for patients who experience chronic pain in their vulvas, the symptoms seem to subside when they reach puberty, and their bodies undergo hormonal changes. Researchers are not sure why this happens, but it could be that the hormonal changes affect the nerves in some way that helps reduce pain.