Impact
The symptoms of VA can have a significant effect on the quality of life (QoL) of both women and their sexual partners:2,10
- It affects women’s emotional wellbeing and self-esteem11
- Women may feel old, less sexy and not themselves12
- VA symptoms may also interfere with aspects of everyday life, including sleep, ability to exercise without pain and general enjoyment of life1,10
The good news is that women who are successfully treated for VA report considerable improvement in their symptoms and QoL – for themselves and their partners.13-15
However, due to the intimate nature of the condition, women may be reluctant to speak to healthcare professionals about their symptoms. Increasing your knowledge about VA and adopting a proactive approach to conversations around symptoms associated with the condition could help improve diagnosis and treatment.15