Joan: ‘It itches, it burns’: psychoanalytic approach to a case of vulvar burning syndrome

Abstract

The case report of Joan, a 20-year-old girl, suffering from vulvar burning syndrome (vulvodynia), illustrates how under certain circumstances, the body expresses what the mind and words are unable to formulate. The skin and the genital sphere are areas rich in symbolic expression because of their close connection with relational and emotional life. It is up to the dermatologist and the gynecologist to detect the signs of the psychic pain behind the somatic complaint. Contrary to other cases of vulvodynia previously reported, Joan had never suffered from real sexual or physical abuse, but experienced her emotional and sexual life in a painfully conflictual way. Through Joan's psychoanalytic work, we attempt to show the benefits of such an approach in the search for a better quality of life for these patients. A close collaboration between the physician and the psychotherapist is needed to improve the treatment of pathologies involved in a chronic pain syndrome, where psychological factors may play an important part.

Key Words:

• Experienced Event
• Psychoanalytical Work
• Real Event
• Sexual Abuse
• Vulvar Burning Syndrome
• Vulvodynia