What skin conditions may affect the vulva?

Vulval Clinic, Mercy Hospital for Women, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Community-based surveys indicate that about a fifth of women have significant vulval symptoms lasting over three months at some time in their lives. Common causes of itch or pain are dermatitis, recurrent candidiasis and the recently recognised pain syndromes--vulvar vestibular syndrome and dysaesthetic vulvodynia. Diagnosis is usually apparent after a thorough history and examination, although conditions commonly coexist and are complicated by prior treatment. Skin lesions not responding to treatment require biopsy. Treatment aims to control symptoms rather than to cure; avoiding soaps and other irritants is central to management. An early, accurate diagnosis should enhance management of vulval conditions, particularly pain syndromes.

Please click on the required question.

• 1 What skin conditions may affect the vulva?
• 2 Which viral infections can affect the genitalia?
• 3 What problems can occur to people with herpes simplex?
• 4 What are genital warts?
• 5 What is lichen sclerosus?
• 6 How is lichen sclerosus treated?
• 7 What could be causing my vulval irritation?
• 8 How could my vulval irritation be treated?
• 9 What is a Bartholin's cyst / abscess?
• 10 How is a Bartholin's cyst / abscess treated?
• 11 What is vulvodynia?
• 12 How can my vulvodynia be treated?
• 13 What is vestibulitis?
• 14 How can my vestibulitis be treated?
• 15 Where can I obtain further information?
• 16 Support Groups.

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This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.

I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.