The Last Taboo in Women's Health – with Heather Coppard (Vulvodynia, Chronic Vaginal Pain, Women's Health, Misdiagnosis)

The Last Taboo in Women's Health – with Heather Coppard (Vulvodynia, Chronic Vaginal Pain, Women's Health, Misdiagnosis)

May 3, 2025 · 18 min · Season 2 · Episode 13

About this episode

Heather Coppard discusses her journey with vulvodynia and the challenges women face in the healthcare system regarding chronic vaginal pain.

Episode Description In this must-listen episode of the Penny Dee Podcast, women's health advocate and author Heather Coppard joins Penny to shine a light on a hidden crisis affecting millions: persistent vulval and vaginal pain. Heather shares her personal journey through vulvodynia, pelvic floor dysfunction, and chronic vaginal pain, from years of misdiagnosis to a devastating experience with a gynaecologist who claimed the pain was "in her head." Now a hypnotherapist and author of Optimising Recovery from Vulval and Vaginal Pain , Heather helps women across the UK who feel unheard, dismissed, and broken by their healthcare experiences. This episode is essential for anyone struggling with chronic pain, women's health issues, or fighting to be taken seriously in the medical system. Quote of the Episode: "The doctor didn't even look at me - he told my husband the pain was in my head. What if I hadn't had his support?" – Heather Coppard What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✔️ Why up to 25% of women may suffer from vulvodynia or vaginal pain, but most never talk about it. ✔️ How Heather's experience with misdiagnosis and misogyny in healthcare pushed her to leave nursing and write a…

People in this episode

Host: Penny Dee

Guest: Heather Coppard

Topics covered

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Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Optimising Recovery from Vulval and Vaginal Pain

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