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Vulvitis
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.)
How to deal with vulvar inflammation?
When inflammation and swelling of the vulva occur, it is essential to pay attention to personal hygiene and wash with clean water after defecation. The secretions of the vulva are acidic and contain normal flora, which helps prevent bacterial infections. Avoid frequently washing the vulva with medications or other washes. In cases of vulvar inflammation, it is advisable to wear breathable cotton underwear to avoid wearing too tight underwear and to use anti-inflammatory ointments to treat swelling. Furthermore, women experiencing this condition should avoid foods that can cause irritation and inflammation of the genitals, such as soft-shelled turtles, crabs, chicken, goose, lamb, etc., and should also avoid spicy and irritating foods.
What are the symptoms of vulvitis?
Vulvitis primarily manifests as itching, pain, and a burning sensation in the vulvar skin. After activities, sexual intercourse, urination, and defecation, symptoms can worsen. During the acute inflammatory phase, one might observe that the vulva is congested, swollen, and eroded, often showing scratch marks, and in severe cases, ulcers or eczema may form. In chronic inflammation, examination may reveal thickened, rough, and cracked vulvar skin, which might even undergo lichen-like changes. Vulvitis may be caused by pathogens or by non-infectious factors such as physical or chemical agents leading to inflammation of the vulvar skin or mucous membrane. If the condition is caused by pathogens, active anti-inflammatory treatment is necessary. However, if it is triggered by non-infectious factors, one should actively identify and eliminate the underlying cause and improve local hygiene. For instance, in the case of diabetic patients, it is crucial to treat the condition promptly and control blood sugar levels. If there is fistula formation, such as urinary or fecal fistulas, timely repair should be done to eliminate the cause of the disease, allowing it to naturally heal on its own.
Does vulvar eczema belong to vulvitis?
Vulvar eczema and vulvitis are not the same disease; they are different from each other. Vulvar eczema is mainly caused by contact with allergens, such as dampness in the genital area, or new underwear and sanitary napkins, leading to itching and rashes on the vulva. It is an allergic reaction, and the treatment is primarily focused on anti-allergy therapy. On the other hand, vulvitis is caused by bacterial, fungal, or viral infections. The local symptoms of vulvitis can be similar to those of vulvar eczema, but the treatment mainly focuses on anti-infection therapy.
Does vulvitis affect pregnancy?
If inflammation of the vulva is found after pregnancy, it generally does not affect the normal pregnancy and the development of the embryo. Vulvar inflammation is often caused by long-term stimulation by excessive vaginal secretions. In such cases, it is necessary to promptly and thoroughly wash and care for the vulvar area, or take sitz baths to alleviate symptoms. It is also important to keep the vulvar area clean and dry, avoid using panty liners, wear cotton underwear, and maintain personal hygiene to reduce the occurrence of vulvar inflammation.
What are the symptoms of vulvitis?
When women experience inflammation of the vulva, the clinical symptoms are generally similar. Firstly, we may observe some abnormal secretions in the vulvar area, such as purulent secretions with a foul smell, accompanied by local itching. Furthermore, when the inflammation in the female vulvar area is severe, it can lead to local skin mucosa congestion, edema, and reduced elasticity. This can cause severe pain during walking due to friction, or during intercourse due to mechanical irritation, and may even lead to painful bleeding. Additionally, in some women, the inflammation may be intense enough to form small abscesses locally, meaning small lumps may appear or small white pus spots may be present on the local area.
Can vulvitis heal itself?
Generally, vulvitis cannot be cured. Vulvitis is a common gynecological condition. Following vaginitis, symptoms include vulva swelling, pain, erosion, and itching, causing significant discomfort to the female body and potentially leading to other types of complications. Vulvitis is caused by infections of bacteria or viruses and requires medical treatment and care, usually not healing on its own. The treatment principle should focus on treating the primary disease, keeping the vulva clean and dry, and avoiding harmful irritations. Women with vulvitis are advised to wash the vulva daily with clean water to ensure cleanliness, wear loose cotton underwear, change and clean them regularly, and use appropriate medication for anti-inflammatory treatment.
Treatment methods for vulvitis
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.
What are the symptoms of vulvitis?
Patients with vulvitis mainly exhibit symptoms such as itching, pain, or a burning sensation, along with swelling and bleeding of the vulva. If not treated promptly, it can lead to erosion or extensive eczema. Additionally, vulvitis can cause intense pain and urinary pain after sexual intercourse. Patients should use antibacterial and anti-inflammatory medications for treatment. Furthermore, choosing cleansing solutions to maintain cleanliness of the affected area and avoiding spicy and irritating foods in daily life is advisable.
Vulvitis is caused by what?
Vulvitis is one of the most common infectious diseases in gynecology, affecting women of all ages. Since the vulva is adjacent to the urethra, vagina, and anus and the area is moist, it is prone to contamination and thus inflammation. Women of childbearing age, due to more frequent sexual activity and the vagina being a necessary passage for childbirth procedures, are susceptible to injuries and external pathogenic infections. Postmenopausal women and infants, due to low estrogen levels and consequently lower local resistance, are also prone to vulvitis.