Alex shares and educates with a great comic this week. Make sure to go ahead and click on some of Alex’s links and send them some thanks!
For more information on Vestibulodynia, here is a resource that explains it more in-depth: Vestibulodynia on the Vulva Pain Society.
On a related vaginal-pain note, we also covered the condition of Vaginismus in an earlier comic as well!
EDIT 2019 – updated comic to reflect Alex’s new name (previously Capp)!
↓ Comic Transcript
PAGE 1
Vestibulodynia by Alex Assan, originally published on https://www.ohjoysextoy.com/vestibulodynia on 9/13/2016
Alex Assan is a slim person wearing a black tank top, pants, fingerless gloves, and workers boots. Their short hair is swept back in a wave. They draw with a cartoony style that utilizes smooth, crisp black lines that are set against a palette of olive greens.
"When I was 17, I tried to have vaginal sex with my boyfriend. It... wasn't great." Alex explains as he leans against a memory of his teenage self howling in pain as his boyfriend attempts to have penetrative sex with him in the missionary position. The boyfriend is taken aback by Teen Alex's reaction.
Present Day Alex goes on to explain next to a diagram of a vulva, "Two years later, I was diagnosed with Vestibulodynia. Vestibulodynia is a medical condition which causes pain in the vaginal opening (the vestibule)."
"But isn't that normal?" Teen Alex asks Adult Alex, looking awkward and defensive. "I thought sex was supposed to hur-"
"NOOOOOOOOOO" Adult Alex howls, grabbing Teen Alex by the arms.
PAGE TWO
"Vestibulodynia (previously known as Vulvar Vestibulitis) is a subset of Vulvodynia." Adult Alex explains to Teen Alex. "While Vulvodynia is usually referrred to as 'unprovoked pain', Vestibulodynia is characterized by pain that is provoked by something."
"Like... what?" Teen Alex asks.
"Anything!" Alex narrates over three depictions of his gloved hand holding up a tampon, a dildo, and a Q-tip. "Tampon use, sexual intercourse, even a cotton swab touching the vaginal opening can cause a burning or 'cutting' sensation. Yikes!"
Dejected, Teen Alex asks, "So, what, my vagina has some sort of weird condition?"
"Not at all!" Adult Alex reassures his younger self with a hand on his back. "In fact, Vestibulodynia is shockingly common. Recent studies say 10-15% of people seeking gynecological care suffer from it."
PAGE THREE
Adult Alex gestures widely with a calm expression his face as icons float around him showing a DNA strand, pills, and a pacifier. He explains, "There's no one cause for it. Genes, birth control pills, childbirth - There are countless possible causes, and every vulva is different."
"So how do you treat it, then?" Asks Teen Alex.
"Treatments are extremely varied as well!" Adult Alex replies. "Estrogen or steroid creams, stopping hormonal medication, lifestyle changes and in some cases even surgery - You *must* go to a doctor to find the treatment that fits you. Ideally a doctor who specializes in vaginal pain."
The two Alexes sit amongst and on piles of serious-looking books. Young Alex investigates one with a magnifying glass while Adult Alex explains to us with an open book in one hand and a magnifying glass in the other, "A lot about Vestibulodynia is still unexplored, and information is still pretty lacking. The good news is that it's getting better, and there are more resources than ever now!"
PAGE FOUR
Against a black, starry background, Young Alex stands with their eyes closed as a breeze rustles their chin-length black, wavy hair. Tenderly, Adult Alex strokes a finger though his younger self's hair as he says, "It wasn't easy having Vestibulodynia. I often felt 'broken' or 'wrong', but I never gave up on getting the right treatment, and it paid off."
In a flashback, Adult Alex watches his younger self smiling shyly and holding hands with his teenage boyfriend as he explains to us, "I had a supportive partner who was happy for us to expand our sexual horizons and try new things in bed. And I stopped thinking of vaginal penetration as the 'normal' way of having sex."
A naked Adult Alex reclines against cushion reading from a book labeled "18+" on its cover, his other hand between his legs. The narration around him reads, "I feel like I've become a stronger person through this journey. I know my body and my needs so much better now."
PAGE FIVE
"So!" The nude, reclining Alex confidently says to us, the reader. "To summarize:"
Over a depiction of Teen Alex filling out paperwork in a doctor's office, the narration reads, "Seek medical care, don't be ashamed! Get the right diagnosis and treatment."
Teen Alex sits at a coffee shop table, talking excitedly and with relief to another person while the narration continues overhead, "Reach out to people if you can - More people have this condition than you think!"
Standing proudly before a mirror in the nude wearing only a striking strap-on, the narration concludes, "If you're comfortable, explore your sexuality and try new things! You might surprise yourself..."
The strap-on-wearing nude Adult Alex sits on the ground next to the strap-on-wearing nude Teen Alex, who is inspecting a variety of sex toys on the ground, like anal beads, a butt plug, and a selection of vibrators.
Adult Alex finishes, addressing the audience, "And most importantly - You're not alone!"
Transcribed by Erika Moen, September 2, 2024
Vestibulodynia by Alex Assan, originally published on https://www.ohjoysextoy.com/vestibulodynia on 9/13/2016
Alex Assan is a slim person wearing a black tank top, pants, fingerless gloves, and workers boots. Their short hair is swept back in a wave. They draw with a cartoony style that utilizes smooth, crisp black lines that are set against a palette of olive greens.
"When I was 17, I tried to have vaginal sex with my boyfriend. It... wasn't great." Alex explains as he leans against a memory of his teenage self howling in pain as his boyfriend attempts to have penetrative sex with him in the missionary position. The boyfriend is taken aback by Teen Alex's reaction.
Present Day Alex goes on to explain next to a diagram of a vulva, "Two years later, I was diagnosed with Vestibulodynia. Vestibulodynia is a medical condition which causes pain in the vaginal opening (the vestibule)."
"But isn't that normal?" Teen Alex asks Adult Alex, looking awkward and defensive. "I thought sex was supposed to hur-"
"NOOOOOOOOOO" Adult Alex howls, grabbing Teen Alex by the arms.
PAGE TWO
"Vestibulodynia (previously known as Vulvar Vestibulitis) is a subset of Vulvodynia." Adult Alex explains to Teen Alex. "While Vulvodynia is usually referrred to as 'unprovoked pain', Vestibulodynia is characterized by pain that is provoked by something."
"Like... what?" Teen Alex asks.
"Anything!" Alex narrates over three depictions of his gloved hand holding up a tampon, a dildo, and a Q-tip. "Tampon use, sexual intercourse, even a cotton swab touching the vaginal opening can cause a burning or 'cutting' sensation. Yikes!"
Dejected, Teen Alex asks, "So, what, my vagina has some sort of weird condition?"
"Not at all!" Adult Alex reassures his younger self with a hand on his back. "In fact, Vestibulodynia is shockingly common. Recent studies say 10-15% of people seeking gynecological care suffer from it."
PAGE THREE
Adult Alex gestures widely with a calm expression his face as icons float around him showing a DNA strand, pills, and a pacifier. He explains, "There's no one cause for it. Genes, birth control pills, childbirth - There are countless possible causes, and every vulva is different."
"So how do you treat it, then?" Asks Teen Alex.
"Treatments are extremely varied as well!" Adult Alex replies. "Estrogen or steroid creams, stopping hormonal medication, lifestyle changes and in some cases even surgery - You *must* go to a doctor to find the treatment that fits you. Ideally a doctor who specializes in vaginal pain."
The two Alexes sit amongst and on piles of serious-looking books. Young Alex investigates one with a magnifying glass while Adult Alex explains to us with an open book in one hand and a magnifying glass in the other, "A lot about Vestibulodynia is still unexplored, and information is still pretty lacking. The good news is that it's getting better, and there are more resources than ever now!"
PAGE FOUR
Against a black, starry background, Young Alex stands with their eyes closed as a breeze rustles their chin-length black, wavy hair. Tenderly, Adult Alex strokes a finger though his younger self's hair as he says, "It wasn't easy having Vestibulodynia. I often felt 'broken' or 'wrong', but I never gave up on getting the right treatment, and it paid off."
In a flashback, Adult Alex watches his younger self smiling shyly and holding hands with his teenage boyfriend as he explains to us, "I had a supportive partner who was happy for us to expand our sexual horizons and try new things in bed. And I stopped thinking of vaginal penetration as the 'normal' way of having sex."
A naked Adult Alex reclines against cushion reading from a book labeled "18+" on its cover, his other hand between his legs. The narration around him reads, "I feel like I've become a stronger person through this journey. I know my body and my needs so much better now."
PAGE FIVE
"So!" The nude, reclining Alex confidently says to us, the reader. "To summarize:"
Over a depiction of Teen Alex filling out paperwork in a doctor's office, the narration reads, "Seek medical care, don't be ashamed! Get the right diagnosis and treatment."
Teen Alex sits at a coffee shop table, talking excitedly and with relief to another person while the narration continues overhead, "Reach out to people if you can - More people have this condition than you think!"
Standing proudly before a mirror in the nude wearing only a striking strap-on, the narration concludes, "If you're comfortable, explore your sexuality and try new things! You might surprise yourself..."
The strap-on-wearing nude Adult Alex sits on the ground next to the strap-on-wearing nude Teen Alex, who is inspecting a variety of sex toys on the ground, like anal beads, a butt plug, and a selection of vibrators.
Adult Alex finishes, addressing the audience, "And most importantly - You're not alone!"
Transcribed by Erika Moen, September 2, 2024
