(val)iant is a game about chronic pelvic pain.


What IS pelvic pain, anyway? There are all kinds of conditions: vulvodynia (pain/discomfort around the vulva), endometriosis (extremely painful tissue growth outside the uterus), hypertonic pelvic floor (when your pelvic muscles tighten or spasm uncontrollably, which can cause pain with sex, constipation, urinary problems, and more).

Disclaimer: I am NOT a doctor! But if you have issues like:
​☑️Painful periods (no, you shouldn't have to miss work, school, or quality time with loved ones because of your period!)
☑️Pain in or around your vulva
☑️Pain with penetrative sex (intercourse)​
​☑️Lower back pain
☑️Pressure on your bladder/lower abdomen

☑️Constipation or painful bowel movements
☑️Urinary issues (it hurts to pee, peeing frequently, leakage, etc.)

...these may be symptoms of vulvodynia, endometriosis, a hypertonic pelvic floor, or other pelvic pain conditions.

Check out the following resources for more information!

And, if you have a doctor or medical professional that you trust, ask them about these symptoms to learn more about diagnoses and treatments.
​
​Life for folks with vulvas and vaginas should NOT be painful.

podcasts & media

Below the Belt​ Documentary Film (2023)
"Le Clitoris" Animated Short Film (2017)
The Principles of Pleasure, Netflix (2022)
Tight Lipped Zine: Opening Up
​
​Bodies Podcast Episode: "Sex Hurts"
NATAL Podcast
​Not Defined by Endo Podcast
The Retrievals, a podcast by the New York Times
​Tight Lipped Podcast

articles & books

ACE: What asexuality reveals about desire, society, and the meaning of sex, Angela Chen (2020)
Come As You Are, Emily Nagoski (2021)
Pleasure Activism, adrienne maree brown (2019)
Vagina Obscura, Rachel E. Gross (2022)
When Sex Hurts, Jill Krapf et al (2023)

"The Under-Explored Intersection of Queer Identity and Pelvic-Floor Dysfunction", Gabrielle Kassel (June 2022)
Refinery29: "Two Women on How Vaginismus Doesn't Stop Them From Feeling Pleasure", Elizabeth Gulino (September 2023) 

have a suggestion? add to our list!

email me at square2mom [at] gmail [dot] com - I'd love to hear your thoughts!!
Last Updated: November 1, 2023