Treatment methods for vulvitis

Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 19, 2024
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Simple vulvitis is not very common, and the occurrence of vulvitis should be based on the type of infection causing it. It is advisable to routinely conduct an examination of secretions, perform bacteriological tests, and classify the inflammation. If there are no symptoms in the vagina and the secretions are normal, simple vulvitis can be alleviated by using cleansing solutions to wash the area. There are various broad-spectrum cleansing solutions to choose from. Additionally, it is important to avoid wearing tight pants that may cause friction and to keep the vulva clean and dry, frequently changing underwear.

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Why does vulvitis keep recurring?

Women frequently experience recurrent episodes of vulvitis for various reasons. A common issue is that during treatment, the medication used is not suitable for their condition as they do not get their secretions tested before starting medication. Additionally, even if the medication is appropriate, some women do not complete the full course of treatment and stop taking the medicine once symptoms improve, which can lead to recurrence. Furthermore, some women have lower resistance around their menstrual period or during menstruation, making them more susceptible to recurrent episodes. Another factor contributing to recurrent vulvitis includes untreated underlying causes such as diabetes, urinary incontinence, or fecal fistula. Some women do not frequently change their underwear or pay attention to the cleanliness of the vulvar area, which can also lead to recurrent inflammation. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician and do not self-medicate.)

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Complications of vulvitis

For patients with vulvitis, the main complications are the formation of vulvar ulcers or eczema. In chronic inflammation, the skin of the vulva may become thickened, rough, or cracked, and even undergo lichen-like changes. In severe cases, the condition may cause fever and other systemic symptoms, and even lead to enlargement of the inguinal lymph nodes. Furthermore, vulvitis and its pathogens might spread upwards, causing an onset of pelvic inflammatory disease.

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Can erythromycin be applied to vulvitis?

Only a minority of vulvitis cases are effectively treated with erythromycin ointment. Most cases of vulvitis are not treated with erythromycin ointment. This is because it is essential to first identify which type of infection is causing the vulvitis. Most cases of vulvitis also involve vaginitis and require initial bacteriological examination to classify the inflammation. Treatment should be selected based on this classification and target the specific type of infection. For instance, if the inflammation is due to trichomoniasis, both partners need to take oral metronidazole. If it is a fungal vaginitis, drugs like clotrimazole should be chosen. (Specific drug use should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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What medicine should be taken for senile vulvitis?

Senile vulvitis, also known as senile vulvar atrophy, is more common among postmenopausal women. Its main symptoms include thinning and drying of the skin, reduced elasticity and looseness, wrinkling of the epidermis, atrophy of sweat glands, reduced sebaceous gland secretion, and hair loss or sparseness. Generally, the treatment principle involves hormone supplementation to increase the vaginal resistance and the use of antibiotics to inhibit the growth of bacteria.

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Can erythromycin ointment be applied for vulvitis?

Only a few types of vulvitis might be effectively treated with erythromycin ointment application, as the treatment depends on the specific pathogen involved in the vulvitis, and not all inflammations use the same medication. First, a vaginal discharge test must be conducted, as some cases are due to yeast infections, and some are due to trichomoniasis, for which erythromycin ointment is ineffective. For instance, treatment for trichomoniasis requires both partners to simultaneously undergo treatment with oral metronidazole, otherwise, even if only the woman is treated, there is a high chance of recurrence. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)