|
Contact: Phyllis Mate
(301) 299-0775
Fax: (301) 299-3999
SUSANNA KAYSEN, AUTHOR OF GIRL INTERRUPTED, BRINGS NATIONAL
ATTENTION TO CHRONIC VULVAR PAIN
Preliminary Findings from a Harvard Medical School Study
Reveal that Chronic Vulvar Pain May Affect Millions of Women
WHAT: Expert Commentary on the Emerging Problem of Chronic
Vulvar Pain that May Affect Millions of Women
WHO: Phyllis Mate, Executive Director of the National Vulvodynia
Association (NVA)
With the October 2001 release of Susanna Kaysen's book, The Camera
My Mother Gave Me, the issue of chronic vulvar pain is getting national
attention. Recent preliminary findings from a study conducted by
Bernard L. Harlow, Ph.D., of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Epidemiology
Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School,
reveal that potentially millions of women in the United State suffer
from this serious women's health condition.
In her book Kaysen writes, "That's how it is. It isn't cancer.
It isn't diabetes. It isn't life threatening. It's just horrible."
Kaysen's memoir tells a story very familiar to women who suffer
from vulvar pain. She details her interactions with multiple medical
professionals as she travels from office to office, searching for
an answer that will make her pain go away. Each doctor tells her
something different and suggests numerous therapies for her to try.
Most of these therapies make her pain worse and others her body
simply can't tolerate - lubricants, soaks, creams, numbing agents,
medications - the list is endless.
Phyllis Mate, executive director of the National Vulvodynia Association,
a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of women
suffering from chronic vulvar pain, said, "Unfortunately, many
women are too embarrassed to seek help for chronic vulvar pain and
attempt to self-treat with over-the-counter medications that can
exacerbate the problem. Some of these women suffer from intense
physical pain, which is only compounded by the emotional distress
this condition can cause. Kaysen's book is a significant step toward
letting these women know they're not alone, as well as educating
the public about the condition."
Mate is available for commentary on chronic vulvar pain and the
recent Harvard Medical School Study. She can be reached at 301-299-0775
or mate@nva.org.
About the NVA
The National Vulvodynia Association (NVA), a non-profit organization
established in 1994, began as a small local support group. Today,
more than 4,000 patients and health care practitioners throughout
the world belong to the organization. The NVA disseminates newsletters
written by medical experts, provides support services and physician
referrals, and encourages research on the disorder. Its medical
advisory board is comprised of clinicians and scientists from diverse
medical specialties, including gynecology, dermatology, pain management
and physical therapy. For additional information, visit the NVA's
website at www.nva.org
back to Press Releases
|
