How the NVA Can Help You
How the NVA Can Help You
The NVA, founded by five patients in 1994, is one of the only non-profit organizations in the world dedicated to improving the lives of women who suffer from vulvodynia. Everything we do is with one goal in mind – we want every woman to be diagnosed by the first provider she visits and promptly receive appropriate treatment.
The NVA has many programs and services to help you:
- Articles on Treatment and Research: Through our website, you have access to current issues of the NVA News Newsletter. The newsletter contains detailed articles by medical experts on the diagnosis and treatment of vulvodynia. It also features articles on maintaining sexual intimacy, managing pregnancy and childbirth, and coping with chronic pain. As well, the NVA will be sending single articles on treatment and research.
- NVA Research Update: To keep you informed about recent advances in research, NVA publishes a biannual electronic newsletter, NVA Research Update.
- Health Care Provider Database: The NVA maintains a database of health care providers who treat chronic vulvar pain disorders.
- Support Services: The NVA has a list of support groups for women who choose this option. Many women find that speaking to others who have vulvodynia is both a good source of information and the best way to overcome the emotional isolation that can result from having this disorder.
In addition to these services, the NVA develops and implements many important programs to advance research and raise awareness of vulvodynia. To read more about our efforts and how we can help you, please visit NVA’s web site.
How Can You Make A Difference?
Recent research indicates that millions of women in the United States alone suffer from vulvodynia. By combining our voices and skills into one collective body, we are making a significant impact, changing the future for ourselves and the women who will come after us. Please make a donation, volunteer your time or be a source of encouragement to other sufferers when you are feeling better.
One simple and effective action you can take is to send a letter to all of the health care providers who were unable or unwilling to help you. A provider is more likely to read a letter from a former patient than an unsolicited NVA information packet. Download a sample letter that you can personalize, as well as information to enclose in your letter.
To learn more about what you can do to raise vulvodynia awareness and help other women, visit NVA’s web site.