What medications are used to treat vaginal pain?

An assortment of medications are used for vaginal pain, with varying degrees of success. Steroid creams are effective in treating vaginal inflammation. If the primary cause of the pain is vaginal atrophy (thinning and dryness), estrogen -- in the form of a low dose vaginal cream, tablet, or ring -- can help restore natural lubrication. Regular use of long acting vaginal moisturizers also effectively treat pain associated with vaginal atrophy. If the pain stems from an infection, your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotic creams or pills. While anesthetic ointments are sometimes used, these preparations can cause allergic reactions in some women. In the case of vulvar vestibulitis (inflammation of the tissue around the opening of the vagina), interferon injections have been successful in controlling the inflammation. Other medications such as tricyclic antidepressants and certain anticonvulsant drugs work in some cases.