Vulvitis in women: symptoms and treatment of photos, causes and forms

The external genitals in women( vulva) are susceptible to the permanent effects of traumatic agents. For this reason, they can become inflamed, delivering many unpleasant sensations to both adult women and girls.

Vulvit: what is it?

Vulvitis is an inflammation of the external genitalia in a woman. These include the large and small labia, the vestibule of the vagina, the clitoris and the terminal part of the urethra.

• Important! The inflammatory process rarely occurs in isolation and is more common in the form of vulvovaginitis, affecting the initial parts of the vagina.

Vulvit for ICD-10 is designated as N 77.1.

The disease is more common in childhood due to imperfections in the immunity and anatomical features of the female genitalia: a lot of folds in the vagina and thin vulnerable mucous membranes.

Causes of vulvitis

The contributing factors in the development of the disease is the presence of a constantly moist environment in the female genital area,this area. The cause of vulvitis can be various diseases and conditions, which affects the symptoms and treatment of vulvitis in women( see photo).The main reasons are:

• Bacteria. As a nonspecific( strepto and staphylococcus, pneumococcus, etc.), and specific( syphilis, tuberculosis, etc.) microflora can cause inflammation of the vulva.
• Viruses( herpes, cytomegalovirus, etc.).
• Fungi( candida, actinomycetes).Fungal vulvitis develops in patients with reduced immunity or against prolonged antibiotic therapy, both general and local( candles, creams with antibacterial component).
• Allergy. Reactive swelling and inflammation can be a manifestation of the general allergic reaction of the body. More often contact allergic dermatitis develops on various means and cosmetics for intimate hygiene.
• Helminths( worms).Itching and scratching, which provoke helminths can cause inflammation of the entire inguinal region.
• Chemical exposure. Douching and contact of the vulva with chemically aggressive solutions and gases leads to the development of the inflammatory process.
• Mechanical irritation of the vulva, for example, when riding.
• The influence of cold and low temperatures can cause the development of reactive vulvitis.
• As a manifestation of a general pathological condition, for example, diabetes mellitus or malignant neoplasm. What factors of contribute to the development of pathology:
  1. Wearing tight, narrow, synthetic underwear.
  2. Excess weight, which causes increased sweating and diaper rash.
  3. Ignoring the rules of intimate hygiene.
  4. Long stay in conditions of high humidity( wet swimsuit, etc.).

  The disease can develop independently or against the background of other inflammatory processes in this area( cystitis, pyelonephritis, urethritis, etc.).

  Promotes the development of vulvitis deficiency of estrogens in the body, which is observed in women during menopause and girls before puberty. In addition, vulvitis often develops during pregnancy against the background of hormonal activity.

  Types and forms of vulvitis

  The clinical course distinguishes:

  • Acute vulvitis. Appears suddenly and is characterized by a rapid current and recovery or transition to a chronic form;
  • Chronic. It flows with periods of exacerbations and remissions. Outside the exacerbation of symptoms are weak and almost do not bother the woman.

  For reasons of occurrence, there are:

  • Primary. Develop under the influence of traumatic factors( humidity, temperature, allergen, etc.);
  • Secondary vulvites. The cause is another disease( diabetes, leukemia, endometriosis, etc.).

  Symptoms of vulvitis in women, diagnosis

  

  Symptoms and treatment of vulvitis in women depend on the pathogen. In most cases, the patient is concerned about:

  1. Burning and discomfort in the external genital area.
  2. Discharge from the vagina. The nature and color of the discharge depends on the causative agent( curds in candida vulvitis, purulent in bacterial, etc.).
  3. Swelling and redness of the vulva, especially marked with allergic form of the disease.
  4. Pain with urination and intercourse;
  5. Pain in the perineal region, which increases with walking.
  6. Bubbles on the vulva with herpetic vulva, plaque in diphtheria, ulcer with syphilis, etc.
  7. In acute form, general symptoms can be associated: fever, intoxication, headaches, etc.

  A variety of symptoms of pathology can lead to difficulties in self-diagnosis, thereforeit is better to see a doctor right away and find out the cause of the problem.

  For diagnosis, the doctor carefully examines the history and nature of the complaints, and then conducts a gynecological examination, paying attention to the appearance of the vulva and other typical signs of the disease.

  In most cases, the diagnosis of vulvitis is based on visual examination. If the expert has doubts, then additional studies are carried out:

  • bacteriological culture and cytology;
  • analysis of feces for helminths;
  • colposcopy;
  • biopsy;
  • Ultrasound diagnosis;
  • assays for sexual infections;
  • examination of specialized specialists( dermatologist for exclusion of lichen, pediculosis and other pathologies, venereologist, therapist).

  Treatment of vulvitis

  

  Treatment of vulvitis in women is performed against the background of sexual abstinence for the entire period of therapy. Therapy is divided into general and local, the general medicinal treatment includes drugs:

  • Antibiotics in the bacterial process.
  • Antiviral in viral, antimycotic for fungal infection.
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs. Anesthetics.
  • Vitamins and immunostimulants.

  Local therapy consists of:

  • Treatment of vulvitis with ointments with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic effects( Sinaphlan, Levomecol, etc.).
  • Baths and treatment of the vulva with a solution of antiseptics( Miramistin, Furacilin) ​​and medicinal herbs( chamomile, string).
  • Physiotherapy( UFO, electrophoresis).
  • Vaginal suppositories, tablets with antibacterial effect.

  If the cause of vulvitis became sex infections, then the treatment is carried out in conjunction with a partner. Thermal and chemical vulvitis is treated according to the therapy of burns.

  Preventive measures consist in observance of intimate hygiene and elimination of factors that can cause the development of this pathology. To prevent the transition of the disease to the chronic stage, it is necessary to treat acute inflammatory processes in a timely manner.

  Complications of vulvitis

  The consequence of vulvitis can be various unpleasant complications:

  • formation of extensive ulcers and erosions on the labia, clitoris or on the eve of the vagina;
  • transition of the disease to a chronic form;
  • distribution of infection and overlying structures( cystitis, cervicitis, etc.);
  • formation of adhesions( synechia) in the labia;
  • in rare cases, a long infectious process can cause the development of inflammation in the uterus and ovaries and lead to infertility.

  Vulvit is a common problem in women. The disease develops because of the peculiarities of the structure of the female reproductive system and under the influence of various factors. Treatment largely depends on the cause of the disease and the presence of complications.