Friday, February, 10, 2012

Genital sores - female

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Sores on the female genitals


Home Care

Avoid treating yourself before seeing a doctor. It can mask the symptoms and make it more difficult to diagnose the cause of the sore.

A sitz bath may help relieve itching and crusting. Moist lesions can be dried using a heat lamp.

If the sores are caused by a sexually transmitted infection, notify your sexual partner so that he or she can be treated. Stop all sexual activity until the sores are no longer infectious.


Call your health care provider if

Call your doctor if you:

  • Find any unexplained genital lesion
  • Have a change in a genital lesion
  • Have persistent genital itching that does not go away with home care
  • Think you might have a sexually transmitted infection
  • Also have pelvic pain, fever, vaginal bleeding, or other new symptoms

What to expect at your health care provider's office

Your doctor will perform a physical examination and ask medical questions to identify:

  • Type of lesion
    • What color is the lesion?
    • How big is it?
    • Is it painful?
    • Does it itch?
    • Is it scaly?
    • Does the border look distinct (sharp) or blurry?
  • Time pattern
    • When did you first notice the lesion?
    • Have you ever had a similar lesion in the past?
  • Distribution
    • Has the lesion grown larger?
    • Is there an increasing number of lesions?
    • How many lesions are there?
    • Where on the genitals is the lesion located?
  • Other
    • How often do you have sexual activity?
    • What are your hygiene habits?
    • Do you have painful urination?
    • Do you have painful sexual intercourse?
    • Do you have abnormal vaginal drainage?

The physical examination will usually include a pelvic examination.

The following tests may be done:

  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • Blood differential
  • Skin or mucosal biopsy culture

Treatment may include medications that are applied to the skin or that are taken by mouth. The type of medication depends on the cause, but may include corticosteroids, antiviral drugs, antibiotics, or drugs to control itching.


Review Date: 12/14/2009
Reviewed By: Daniel N. Sacks, MD, FACOG, Obstetrics & Gynecology in Private Practice, West Palm Beach, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)