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Your health vulvar problems

 
 

Vulvar problems: Know your body

Vulvar problems

It's a good idea to examine your genital area at least once a month look for redness, swelling, dark or light spots, blisters, bumps and any other changes.

Many women have had vulvar problems, which can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. If you're not sure what's wrong, here's some useful information about everything from common yeast infections to more serious conditions.

What should you do if you have a problem in your genital area? The thought of seeing your doctor might seem embarrassing, but there's no need to worry–you're not the only woman to have problems in this area.

Whatever it is, you want to get it diagnosed and treated.

How to find vulvar problems

A complete guide to self-examination

  1. Wash your hands. Then lie or sit down near a good, strong light with a hand mirror. Find a position where you can see the genital area, including the clitoris, vagina and anus.
  2. Separate the outer lips of the vulva, and look for any changes or signs of a problem.
  3. Next, separate the inner lips. Look at the area in between them, and the entrance to the vagina.
  4. Gently pull back the hood of the clitoris, looking at the area under the hood, as well as the tip of the clitoris.
  5. Finally, examine the area between the vagina and anus (perineum) and surrounding areas.
 

It's a good idea to examine your genital area at least once a month. You should look for: redness, swelling, dark or light spots, blisters, bumps and any other changes. You might also have unusual symptoms such as itching, bleeding, discomfort or burning.

Diagnosing and treating vulvar problems

Yeast infection
Symptoms of this common problem include redness, itching and a whitish, clumpy discharge. If you have a yeast infection, your doctor can prescribe an antifungal cream or tablet, which can also be bought over the counter. However, if in doubt, make a doctor's appointment.

Contact dermatitis
This occurs when the skin in the genital area becomes irritated. It can be caused by soap, shower gel and feminine deodorant sprays. The good news is, when you stop using the products, it should clear up.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
Many STDs can cause vulvar problems, for example, genital warts and genital herpes. The best advice is not to have unprotected sex–use a condom! For more details, see our article on STDs.

Vulvodynia
This means "vulvar pain." The symptoms include burning, stinging and itching. To diagnose, your doctor needs to do a physical exam and might recommend other tests, including a colposcopy and biopsy. Check out our article on vulvodynia for more details.

Cancer
Don't worry, cancer of the vulva is extremely rare, but it's a good idea to look for unusual symptoms, including itching and bleeding. It's diagnosed with a biopsy, and can be treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Skin cancer can also occur in the genital area–if you have moles or dark patches of skin, get them checked out, just to be on the safe side!

Most vulvar problems are treatable and preventable. If you notice anything, it's best to make a doctor's appointment or, when you have your regular Pap test, discuss your concern with the doctor.

 
 

Related articles

STDs STDs

Sexually transmitted diseases are bad news! They can cause serious health and fertility problems and, every year, there are millions of new cases. It's important to know the facts–every woman should know how to protect herself and her partner.

 
 
Vulvodynia Vulvodynia

Some women have constant, severe pain "down below," known as vulvodynia. Here, we discuss the symptoms, and offer advice on how it can be diagnosed and treated.

 
 
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