Resources For Pelvic Floor Dysfunction & Vaginal Health
Physicians:
Dr. Irwin Goldstein (San Diego Sexual Medicine)
San Diego Sexual Medicine | SDSM
What I love about SDSM is the approach. At SDSM, you can expect clinical care along with access to mental health and intimacy therapists. For those that struggle with vulvodynia related issues, we all know there is a strong mental and emotional component. This facility is prepared with state-of-the-art therapies and up-to-date information and treatments. The staff is kind and empathetic.
Dr. Andrew Goldstein, Mollie Flint Rieff, Dr. Jill Krapf (The Centers for Vulvovaginal Disorders)- located in New York City, Washington, DC, and Tampa, FL
Home – The Centers for Vulvovaginal Disorders (vulvodynia.com)
An excellent treatment option. Mollie Rieff was the first practitioner to diagnose me after visits to 13 or so physicians ranging from OB/Gyn to dermatologists. These facilities are also groundbreaking and fully to–date with the latest and greatest.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy:
Pelvic Health & Rehabilitation Center
After seeing multiple PTs, I can tell you that they are not created equal and can actually be incredibly unhelpful. The therapists at PHRC are wonderful and most are connected with top doctors leading the field of vulvodynia. This means great care and access to the very best.
Located in multiple areas. California: San Francisco, Berkeley, Los Gatos, Walnut Creek, West Los Angeles, Westlake Village, Encinitas, and Pasadena; Midwest: Dublin, OH; and locations in New England: Lexington, MA, and Merrimack, NH. PHRC also offers virtual appointments to patients worldwide.
Microbiome/ BV/ AV/ Chronic Yeast Support
Evvy
Clinical Care for Vaginal Health (evvy.com)
Evvy believes in funding women’s healthcare research- which is a mission I can get behind. It is great company that I trust completely. I have used their services for about three years. Each quarter, I receive one vaginal microbiome test. This test takes a look at the organisms within the vagina and can diagnose issues such bacterial vaginosis, STIs, and many other conditions. The types of bacteria can be monitored overtime and helps correlate symptoms with bacteria populations. I have personally suffered from BV and AV in the past with little to no support from traditional physicians. Evvy now offers treatments from physicians (some are associated with Centers for Vulvovaginal Disorders), coaching and support to help patients overcome these problems. This has provided not only peace of mind for me in my own journey, Evvy has also helped walk me through recovery from uncomfortable symptoms. 100% WORTH IT!
Community:
Tight Lipped
This is a support community for people and by people with chronic vulvodynia. Tight Lipped’s vision statement says it all:
” We see a future where…
- Everyone with vulvovaginal pain receives an accurate diagnosis and affordable, effective treatment
- Medical institutions fund and prioritize these conditions
- Conversations about vulvovaginal and pelvic pain find their rightful place at the table
Together, people with vulvovaginal and pelvic pain have the power to change how we imagine and understand pain, sex, ability, intimacy, and chronic illness.“