Vulvodynia can feel mysterious, isolating, and overwhelming - especially when treatments seem to focus on symptoms instead of causes. In this conversation, acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner Jennifer Dubowsky shares how she approaches vulvar pain through a whole-body lens built on 24 years of clinical experience. Jennifer walks us through the most common TCM patterns she sees in women with vulvodynia and explains how acupuncture may help with pain, inflammation, and pelvic-floor tightness. She also demystifies concepts like qi, damp heat, and mirror-imaging points in a way that feels practical and accessible. Connect with Jennifer: * https://jenniferdubowsky.com/ * Jennifer’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-In-Chinese-Medicine-Acupuncture/ * https://www.instagram.com/vulvodyniaproject/ * https://www.instagram.com/acupuncture007/ Connect with Mathilde: mathilde@baubo.org @meet.baubo Resources Mentioned: National Vulvodynia Association: https://www.nva.org/ Research Studies: * Lee Hollander Rubin's study tested whether adding acupuncture to regular lidocaine treatment (a topical numbing medication applied to the vestibule to reduce pain) for provoked vulvodynia is feasible, acceptable, and potentially helpful for reducing pain: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31592976/ * Judith Schlaeger's studies on acupuncture for vulvodynia patients: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25639289/ and https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9649367/#sec4 Topical Products: * Yin Care topical liquid - https://yincare.com/product/yin-care-original-100-ml/ * Apply with organic cotton ball, can be diluted with water or used straight * Can also be placed on cotton ball between labia for extended relief * V-Magic balm by Medicine Mama - Works as a vaginal moisturizer, particularly helpful for menopausal symptoms: https://www.amazon.com.mx/Medicine-Mamas-Apothecary-Vmagic-Intimate/dp/B0071Q5PL0?th=1 * Therapeutic Intimacy Oil by Wellness and Nature - Natural numbing option: https://www.wellnessxnature.com/intimacy-oil Product Safety Tool: * Yuka app (for scanning personal care products and food for irritants): https://yuka.io/en/ Safe Lubricants (water-based, free of vulvar irritants): * Sliquid: https://sliquid.com/ * Good Clean Love: https://goodcleanlove.com/products/almost-naked%C2%AE-organic-personal-lubricant-4-oz * Pre-Seed (fertility-friendly): https://www.amazon.com/Pre-Seed-Fertility-Friendly-Personal-Lubricant-Pack/dp/B00BYDC79O * Avoid: KY Jelly and Astroglide - these kill good bacteria and can increase vulnerability to infection Movement & Stretching: * A simple 5 minute yoga routine to soothe the nervous system, release muscle tension and ease Vulvar pain: https://www.instagram.com/reel/B_2jI5shOHX/ General TCM and Lifestyle Advice: * Temperature & Circulation: * Do NOT drink ice water (constricts circulation and "dumps ice into your fire of life") * Do NOT walk around barefoot * Do NOT sit on cold surfaces * DO apply heat to lower abdomen and lower back to increase circulation * Use infrared heat when possible * Take lukewarm (not hot) Epsom salt baths * Dietary Support: * Drink ginger tea regularly - anti-inflammatory and warming, increases circulation * Clothing & Hygiene: * Wear loose-fitting clothing * Wear cotton underwear only * Don't sit in wet bathing suits - change promptly * Check laundry detergent for irritants * Avoid chlorinated water and hot tubs * Stress Management & Relaxation: * Box breathing technique: Breathe in for count of 4, hold for 4, breathe out for 4, hold for 4, repeat * Practice relaxation techniques to prevent muscle tensing * Address anxiety as it worsens muscle tension and pain * Complementary Treatments: * Pelvic floor physical therapy - highly recommended for all vulvodynia patients, especially those with muscle tightness/vaginismus

Thrush (aka yeast/candida infections) is common - 75% of women will experience it at some point - but for some women, it can trigger long-term vulvar pain (vulvodynia). In this powerful episode, Mathilde speaks with Philly Baines, a UK-based women’s health advocate, about her journey from repeated thrush infections to developing vulvodynia, and how years of medical dismissal led her to campaign for change. Together they unpack what we do know about the link between thrush and nerve pain, why so many women are dismissed or misdiagnosed, and what warning signs to look out for. Philly also shares how she turned her own experience into Thrush-Support.com, a free evidence-based resource helping women advocate for better care. Listeners will learn how to recognize persistent thrush, understand why it sometimes leads to chronic pain, and what to ask for in medical appointments. This episode is not medical advice. Connect with Philly: @painsdownthere @thrushsupport 👉 Ask your questions for future episodes through mathilde@baubo.org or via Instagram @meet.baubo.

In this conversation, pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Julie Sarton shares the small, surprising ways our daily routines - like how we sit, breathe, carry stress, or even pee - can quietly create or maintain pelvic floor tension. We unpack why “just doing Kegels” often backfires, how breath-holding and sucking in your stomach keep your pelvic floor on high alert, and what it really means to release rather than strengthen. Dr. Sarton brings nearly 30 years of experience treating pelvic pain to explain how posture, clothing, exercise cues, and even nervous system regulation all play a role in recovery from vaginismus and vulvodynia. You’ll walk away with simple, practical changes you can make today to support a calmer, healthier pelvic floor. About Dr. Julie Sarton: Founder of Sarton Pelvic Healing in California, Dr. Sarton is a pioneer in pelvic floor physical therapy and international educator on chronic pelvic pain. 💬 Have a question you’d like covered in a future episode? Reach out at mathilde@baubo.org or send a DM to @meet.baubo on Instagram. This episode is not medical advice.

For so many living with vaginismus or vulvodynia, pain feels like a puzzle with missing pieces. What if one of those pieces is fascia - the thin, stringy web that connects every part of your body, where tightness in your jaw could whisper tension into your pelvis? In this episode, we unpack what fascia actually is, how it connects areas like the jaw and pelvis, and why this matters for anyone experiencing chronic pelvic pain. You’ll also learn simple, practical tools to support your fascial health through gentle movement, breath, and touch. 🎧 Follow and send your questions for future episodes on Instagram @meet.baubo or at mathilde@baubo.org. Connect with Violet Meyers at @battersea.massage

What really shapes how we live with vulvodynia, vaginismus and other pelvic pain conditions - biology alone, or also our emotions, thoughts, partner interactions and place in society? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Claudia Chisari, one of the most cited scientists in vulvodynia research and founder of Bloume Health. Claudia shares her own journey through years of pain and medical dismissal, and how that experience led her to research vulvodynia using the ACT framework and later establish a pelvic pain platform, Bloume Health. We talk about why stigma, mental health, and relationships can influence pain outcomes, what her research reveals about acceptance and injustice, and how she’s now turning these insights into practical tools through her work at Bloume Health. It’s a conversation that blends lived wisdom with groundbreaking science - and it just might shift how you think about pelvic pain care. This episode is not medical advice. 💘 I’d love to hear your questions for future episodes - reach me at mathilde@baubo.com or on Instagram @meet.baubo.

Fear is one of our most powerful instincts - and it often plays a central role in vaginismus. In this episode, psychologist Dr. Seth Senecal explains how fear overrides logic, shapes our nervous system, and keeps our pelvic floor muscles from relaxing. Whether it’s a tiger chasing us or worrying that someone we love might leave, the body responds as if survival is on the line - and that signal can often be hard to mute. Together with host Mathilde, he unpacks why safety is as crucial as arousal, why using dilators alone without addressing emotional factors often fall short, and how shame and anger can be transformed into tools for healing. Listeners will learn how the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems work during sex, why anxiety is a “mood killer,” and what it means to approach vaginismus with curiosity and softness instead of force. Dr. Seth Senecal is a U.S.-based clinical psychologist who works with trauma, anxiety, and chronic pain. For speaking engagements or to connect with Dr. Seth Senecal, reach out at docsenecal@gmail.com Connect with us at @meet.baubo or mathilde@baubo.org

In this episode, Dr. Jill Krapf joins Mathilde to unpack the four main drivers of vulvar pain - hormonal, muscular, inflammatory, and nerve-related - and why these factors often overlap. She shares why she believes the catch-all term “vulvodynia” will eventually disappear as research continues to uncover specific root causes. We discuss how Dr. Krapf investigates these causes in her practice, from examining glands and muscles to considering hormones and nerve involvement. She outlines practical treatment options - topical hormones, pelvic floor therapy, medications - and when surgery might be appropriate. Dr. Krapf also highlights exciting new research on neuroinflammatory pain. Work with Dr. Jill Krapf:
 https://jillkrapfmd.com/ appointments@jillkrapfmd.com 
 https://www.instagram.com/jillkrapfmd
 Book: When Sex Hurts https://tinyurl.com/yb9z3vtv The Centers for Vulvovaginal Disorders: https://vulvodynia.com/ Interact with us:
 https://www.instagram.com/meet.baubo mathilde@baubo.org 04:24 – Dr Jill Krapf’s background 
 06:08 – Why “vulvodynia” is a problematic term
 09:53 – The four main root-cause categories (hormonal, muscular, inflammatory/infectious and nerve-related)
 14:30 – Hormonal factors and diagnosis
 19:30 – Hormonal treatment options
 22:42 – Muscular causes and pain cycles
 29:05 – Assessing and treating muscle-based pain
 31:38 – Inflammatory and infectious causes
 34:30 – Treatment approaches for inflammation
 35:46 – Nerve-driven pain
 38:20 – Treatment options for nerve pain
 42:23 – Pudendal and pelvic nerve issues
 44:25 – How to find and work with Dr. Jill Krapf

Join us with Sam Evans, intimate health expert and co-owner of Jo Divine, a UK pleasure shop specializing in skin-safe products. Sam shares her personal experience with vaginismus and how intimate products directly contributed to her condition. In this episode, we discuss: * How common ingredients in lubricants, condoms and other intimate health products can trigger vaginal pain * Why "doctor recommended" products might still contain harmful ingredients * How incorporating toys and focusing on pleasure can be beneficial for those experiencing vulvodynia and vaginimsus Request a topic we should address on the podcast via @meetbaubo. 10% discount code for Jo Divine: BAUBO10 (£5 minimum spend on full priced products excluding P&P) ends 30/04/25 Recommended products: * Yes Organic Water Based Lubricant https://www.jodivine.com/products/yes-organic-lubricant-water-based * Yes Organic Oil Based Lubricant https://www.jodivine.com/products/yes-organic-lubricant-oil-based * Yes Coco Oil Based Lube Applicators x 6 https://www.jodivine.com/products/yes-coco-oil-based-lube-applicators-x-6 * SUTIL Luxe https://www.jodivine.com/products/sutil-luxe * SUTIL Rich https://www.jodivine.com/products/sutil-rich * Immy Vibrator https://www.jodivine.com/products/jo-divine-immy

In part two of our two-part series, we explore the fascinating neuroscience behind pelvic pain with pelvic health physiotherapist Jo Gipson. We cover why pain isn't just physical but a complex response to perceived threat, and how our beliefs and past experiences shape our body's reactions. Jo breaks down how pain cycles can emerge, explains why anticipating pain can make it worse, and reveals why even trusted partners can unknowingly trigger protective responses. Connect with Jo Gipson: Instagram: @jogipsonphysio Website: www.jogipsonphysiotherapy.com For UK-based pelvic health support, visit the Pelvic Pain Network: @pelvicpainnetwork The Oh nut: https://thepelvicpeople.com/products/ohnut-depth-limiting-rings

In part one of our two-part series, pelvic health physiotherapist Jo Gipson explains the basics of pelvic floor anatomy and the relevance for vulvodynia and vaginismus. She challenges common myths about Kegel exercises, explains why both muscle relaxation and strength matter, and shares practical treatment approaches from breath work to dilator use. Connect with Jo Gipson: Instagram: @jogipsonphysio Website: www.jogipsonphysiotherapy.com For UK-based pelvic health support, visit the Pelvic Pain Network: @pelvicpainnetwork

In this first episode, we dive deep into the often misunderstood world of vulvodynia and vaginismus with Dr. Tania Adib, a leading London-based gynecologist specializing in vulvar health. Through host Mathilde's personal journey and Dr. Adib's clinical expertise, we explore why these conditions are frequently dismissed by healthcare providers despite affecting up to 1 in 5 women. Dr. Adib breaks down the four key root causes - inflammatory, muscular, neurological, and hormonal. We discuss why vulvar pain remains a diagnostic challenge for medical professionals, the potential link between hormonal birth control and pain, and how symptoms can vary throughout the menstrual cycle. Dr. Adib shares crucial guidance for women facing medical dismissal and explains why understanding the root cause is essential for effective treatment. Finally, Dr Adib shares her view on promising innovations in treatment. Participate in the the world's largest survey on vaginismus and vulvodynia here: baubo.org