Vulvitis

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Vulvitis

Treatment:

Self-care options may be initiated if no vaginal discharge is present. These include discontinuing the use of any potential irritants, and following the recommendations for preventing vulvitis (see Prevention section).

An over-the-counter cortisone cream may be used 2 or 3 times a day on the affected area for up to 1 week. If these measures do not alleviate symptoms, see your physician.

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If discharge from a vaginal infection is the cause of vulvitis, the source of the vaginal infection should be treated and concurrent topical cortisone cream may be used to decrease vulvar itching.

Note: If the infection is transmitted sexually, it is very important that your partner(s) receive treatment also, even if they have no symptoms. Many organisms can be harbored without producing symptoms. Failure of the partner(s) to accept treatment can cause continual reinfection that may eventually lead to more extensive problems, possibly limiting your ability to have children and affecting overall health.

If treatment of vulvitis is not very effective, further evaluation may include biopsy of the skin to rule out the potential of vulvar dystrophy (a chronic vulvar skin condition) or vulvar dysplasia, a precancerous condition. A biopsy may also be necessary if any skin lesions are present.

Expectations (prognosis):

The scratch-and-itch cycle of vulvitis may be difficult to halt, but with adequate identification of the causative factors, it can usually be alleviated over several weeks.

Complications:

Itching of the vulva may be a sign of genital warts (HPV - human papilloma virus), vulvar dystrophy, or vulvar dysplasia (a precancerous condition).

Sexually transmitted diseases, which can cause vulvitis, may eventually lead to more extensive problems, possibly causing reduced reproductive ability, total sterility, or problems with general health if they are not treated appropriately.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms occur and do not respond to self care measures, or if vaginal discharge accompanies the symptoms. Also call if skin lesions are noted on the vulva.