Sandpaper & Glass

Humans of Vulvodynia Society

By: sandpaperandglass April 23, 2018April 23, 2018

Uncategorizedanxiety, marriage, Nickel Allergy, painful intercourse, pelvic floor physical therapy, Pelvic Pain, Systemic Nickel Allergy, vaginal pain, vestibulectomy, vulvodynia1 Comment

I recently submitted my story to a new “Humans of Vulvodynia Society” survey from ME + MY V. This blog has some wonderful information, and I am especially interested in reading about other perspectives about vulvodynia. If you have vulvodynia, I encourage you to share your story (you can do so anonymously if you wish). The…

My Story. Part 3. Trial and Error.

By: sandpaperandglass January 29, 2018January 29, 2018

My Story, Uncategorizedpainful intercourse, Pelvic Pain, vaginal pain, vaginal surgery, vaginal tightness, vestibulectomy, vulvodyniaLeave a Comment

Lidocaine jelly. That’s the first thing I tried. I was told to lather it all over my vulva and vagina and wait 15-30 minutes before intercourse for everything to go numb. It seemed so simple. I was shocked that I hadn’t thought of something like that before. The way my vulvodynia was described to me…

A Double Edged Sword.

By: sandpaperandglass January 16, 2018January 16, 2018

Uncategorizedanxiety, depression, marriage, Pelvic Pain, vestibulodynia, vulvodyniaLeave a Comment

A double edged sword. That’s what it is. Being a virgin prior to entering into a monogamous marriage as a woman with vulvodynia is a double edged sword. On one hand, I hold fast to my religious tenants about sexuality and how intimacy is between me and my husband and us only. It brings me…

My Story. Part 2. Recognizing Something was Wrong and the Diagnosis

By: sandpaperandglass December 12, 2017January 16, 2018

My Story, Uncategorizedanxiety, painful intercourse, Pelvic Pain, vaginal pain, vaginal tightness, vulvodyniaLeave a Comment

Hey there. It’s me again. Ready to write some more. I feel hesitant already, knowing that this will surface some deep emotions I try so hard to forget. But, I know I need to do this. Here goes nothing. Intercourse was painful for me. So, very painful. Like crying-in-the-fetal-position-for-hours-after kind of painful. We discovered this…

Medical Journey: Elevator Pitch

By: sandpaperandglass December 12, 2017

My Story, Start Here., Uncategorizedanxiety, painful intercourse, pelvic floor physical therapy, Pelvic Pain, vaginal pain, vaginal surgery, vaginal tightness, vulvodyniaLeave a Comment

I wanted to do a QUICK elevator pitch of my medical journey with vulvodynia, so that there is context when you read the other posts about what has helped/what hasn’t. I will keep updating this post throughout the course of this blog. Thanks! … I was diagnosed in 2015 (after I had my kids) when…

Sorry, Not Sorry.

By: sandpaperandglass November 20, 2017

Uncategorizedconfidence, vulvodyniaLeave a Comment

Is my insecurity showing? Yes, yes it is. Sorry if I share too many details. I am not trying to be insensitive, rather the opposite. I have learned through speaking with many women who have vulvodynia, that the more honest I can be about my experiences, the better I am able to help others. I’ve…

My story. Part 1. The Early Years.

By: sandpaperandglass November 20, 2017January 13, 2018

My Story, Uncategorizedanxiety, painful intercourse, Pelvic Pain, Period pain, THINX Underwear, vulvodyniaLeave a Comment

My medical history is a long, complicated, intertwined, and emotional one. It takes me to a place of incredible vulnerability. Reliving moments of hopelessness, let-downs, and anger. For this reason, I have been putting off writing this. But as each day passes, I feel frustrated with myself for not writing it down. For not getting…

The Power of Visualization

By: sandpaperandglass November 20, 2017January 13, 2018

Uncategorizedanxiety, pelvic floor physical therapy, vaginal pain, vaginal tightness, vulvodyniaLeave a Comment

My heart aches. I yearn for him to return. He will be gone for months and months for military training and I miss him desperately. Sure, I can handle the day to day responsibilities of our family. I write him letters and it feels like I am talking with him. I know how he would…

What is in my Amazon Cart?

By: sandpaperandglass November 8, 2017January 13, 2018

Uncategorizedanxiety, judgement, Pelvic Pain, Slippery Stuff, TheraWand, vulvodyniaLeave a Comment

As open as I am about having vulvodynia, there are times when I feel incredibly self-conscious and a little embarrassed about it. Today is one of those days. I had pelvic floor PT yesterday and my physical therapist recommended a few products to order on Amazon. I got online today and added a TheraWand, a lubricant, and a book to…

First Comment…

By: sandpaperandglass November 3, 2017

Uncategorizedconfidence, vaginal pain, vulvodynia4 Comments

“What kind of weirdo, freaky exhibitionist wants to post this kind of crap? Keep it between you and your gynecologist. They get paid to hear you whine about your lady parts. Even your husband doesn’t want to read this. Ew. Just stop it.” This. This is exactly why women are afraid to be open about…