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


What IS pelvic pain, anyway? There are all kinds of conditions, many of them overlapping: vestibulodynia (pain in the vulvar vestibule, right at the entrance of the vagina), lichen sclerosis (a dermatological condition that can affect the vulva), endometriosis (extremely painful tissue growth outside the uterus), pelvic floor dysfunction (the muscles in the pelvic floor are either too loose or too tight, which can cause prolapse [hypotonic] or muscle spasms and pain [hypertonic]).

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 an underlying condition that has gone un- or mis-diagnosed. You can explore more about conditions that cause pelvic pain on PROSAYLA, or explore some of the articles, films, media and resources below.

And by the way, don't let your doctor tell you the pain is all in your head. Trust me, it isn't. ​Life for folks with vulvas and vaginas should NOT be painful.

films, media, & podcasts

Lady Parts Film (2024)
Below the Belt​ Documentary Film (2023)
"Le Clitoris" Animated Short Film (2017)
The Principles of Pleasure, Netflix (2022)
Tight Lipped Zine: Opening Up (2019)
​
​Bodies Podcast Episode: "Sex Hurts"
CRAMPED Podcast
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)
"What causes entry pain?", Nicole Guappone & The Pelvic People (Accessed May 2025)

have a suggestion? add to our list!

email me at square2mom [at] gmail [dot] com - I'd love to hear your thoughts!!
Last Updated: August 10, 2025