Heather Coppard, author and educator

Author & Educator
in Vulval &
Vaginal Health

Evidence-informed education and resources for vulval and vaginal pain

Supporting understanding, self-management and wellbeing to complement clinical care

For women living with vulval pain and for healthcare professionals supporting their care

Are you living with vulval or vaginal pain and looking for reliable information and practical resources you can explore at your own pace? If so, you are in the right place.

Vulval and vaginal pain can be hard to put into words and uncomfortable to talk about. At times, it can feel isolating or worrying, especially when clear information is difficult to find.

Heather’s book is available now as a dedicated resource, and additional courses and audio materials are currently in development. The aim is to provide clear, evidence-informed education that you can return to over time.

Optimising Recovery from Vulval and Vaginal Pain book cover

The Book - Optimising Recovery from Vulval and Vaginal Pain

A practical evidence-informed resource that covers pain education, treatment approaches and self-care strategies

  • Clear explanations of persistent pain and how it can present
  • An overview of commonly used treatment approaches
  • Practical self-care strategies designed to complement clinical care

Note: This book is educational and is intended to complement, not replace, professional medical advice or clinical care.

Testimonials

This practical guide to optimising recovery from vulval and vaginal pain gives a refreshingly positive perspective that will help many women. Heather’s voice soothes and reassures, whilst also being knowledgeable and informative. I will be happy to recommend this book to my patients as a wonderful resource to support their understanding and self-management.

This essential book provides a comprehensive mind-body approach for women with vulval pain conditions and their healthcare providers. Its practical toolkit empowers women to manage their symptoms, reconnect with their bodies and support their wellbeing. A valuable resource for an often overlooked health challenge.

A hopeful and practical guide that combines personal experience with expert guidance on managing vulval and vaginal pain. Through compassionate storytelling and comprehensive advice, it helps readers understand their symptoms, access care and find effective self-management strategies—proving they're not alone on this journey.

Reader Reviews

“The tools she described helped me to feel more in control of my healthcare going forward.”
“I felt very validated and understood.”
“Full of practical advice from a profound, personal journey through the uncertainty of pelvic pain.”
“Written in Heather’s warm, practical and reassuring tone.”

About the book

Millions of women live with persistent vulval or vaginal pain, yet these conditions can be difficult to talk about and are not always well understood. Many women describe challenges accessing clear information, timely care, or feeling believed when seeking support.

Optimising Recovery from Vulval and Vaginal Pain was written to help address that gap.

The book provides a clear, evidence-informed overview of vulval and vaginal pain conditions, alongside practical guidance on pain education, treatment options and self-care strategies. It is designed to support women in understanding their bodies, making informed decisions and engaging more confidently with healthcare professionals.

The book aims to help readers to:

  • Understand their own body and intimate anatomy
  • Understand the development of persistent vulval and vaginal pain
  • Be aware of treatment and management options
  • Develop positive pain-management strategies
  • Create nurturing self-care practices
  • Successfully navigate the healthcare system
  • Optimise recovery from pain

Heather brings together her background as a nurse and hypnotherapist with her own lived experience of vulvodynia, offering a grounded, compassionate perspective that acknowledges both the physical and emotional impact of persistent pain.

Available now

This book is intended as a supportive resource for women living with vulval or vaginal pain and for the professionals involved in their care. It offers structured information, practical tools, and a compassionate perspective to complement clinical support. Available in paperback, hardback, and ebook formats on Amazon.

Buy on Amazon

VulvalHealth (coming soon)

VulvalHealth is currently in development. When it launches, it will offer a dedicated online learning space with structured educational courses, guided audio resources and practical tools designed to support women living with vulval pain and related concerns. Content will include self-management education, guided relaxation recordings and supportive materials intended to complement clinical care.

About Heather Coppard

Heather Coppard is an author and women’s health educator with a background in nursing and hypnotherapy. Her work focuses on vulval and vaginal pain, drawing on clinical experience, lived insight and evidence-informed perspectives to support understanding and self-management to complement clinical care.

This site shares information about her work, including her book and resources. A dedicated section is also available for healthcare professionals, bringing together information about the approach and relevant resources.

This site provides educational information and is intended to complement, not replace, professional medical advice or clinical care.