Vulvovaginal Disease

The vulva is the external areas around the vagina, urethra and anus. The vulva includes the mons, which lies over the pubic bones, the labia, the clitoris and the area between the vagina and anus, which is called the perineum. There are a number of medical conditions that can cause symptoms in these areas.

Contact Dermatitis

Vestibulitis

Vulvadynia

Vulvar Dystrophy

Contact dermatitis can be caused by sprays, dyes, soaps, and creams or any substances to which you may be allergic. The symptoms are usually red rash and itching. It is usually treated with a steroid cream.

Vestibulitis is an inflammation of the glands that surround the vagina. It causes burning, as well as pain and itching and sometimes pain while urinating or during intercourse. It may require several weeks to resolve with steroid creams.

Vulvadynia is pain that occurs during intercourse and it has no known specific cause. It is usually diagnosed after other causes of vulvar pain are eliminated. It is important that we evaluate you and exclude other causes. While it can be difficult to manage, there are several approaches to treating vulvadynia and the plan needs to be tailored to each patient.

Vulvar dystrophy is the chronic thinning of the vulvar skin, with the development of white, hardened patches. Some types of vulvar atrophy may lead to cancer and so biopsy is sometimes needed. Vulvar dystrophy requires long-term treatment, including use of steroidal ointments and a regimen of vulvar drying.

There are several conditions of the vulvar skin that may progress to cancer. These include Paget Disease of the vulva, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia, and lichen sclerosis. Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia have been linked to human papilloma virus (HPV), the same group of viruses that cause cervical cancer. Diagnosis of these conditions requires biopsy.