Vulvitis (from Lat. vulva) is called nonspecific inflammation of the external genitalia in women. This is a common disease in women and girls. In women of childbearing age, vulvitis is the cause of more than 50% of visits to a gynecologist.
The content of the article:
Causes of vulvitis and predisposing factors
Symptoms of vulvitis
Vulvitis in girls
Diagnosis of vulvitis
Vulvitis treatment
Local treatment of vulvitis of infectious etiology
Vulvitis in diabetes mellitus
Allergic vulvitis
Atrophic vulvitis during menopause
Complications of vulvitis
Prevention of vulvitis
Vulvitis
Causes of vulvitis and predisposing factors
Specific inflammation caused by pathogens of sexually transmitted diseases (chlamydia, trichomonas, gonococci, etc.) is much less common. The main cause of vulvitis may be: E. coli, Staphylococcus, fungi of the genus Candida, Streptococcus or bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas and Proteus.
It should be borne in mind that vulvitis as an independent disease is rare, that is, primary vulvitis. Basically, inflammation of the vulva is a separate symptom of a disease (colpitis, cervicitis, diabetes mellitus, etc. pathologies) – secondary vulvitis.
The main causes and predisposing factors of inflammation of the external genitalia in women:
bacterial infections of the genitals — banal colpitis, cervicitis, vulvovaginitis (as a separate symptom of the underlying disease);
specific infections, including sexually transmitted diseases;
active sex life;
physiological phenomena (pregnancy, menstruation);
diseases of the endocrine system (diabetes mellitus, lack of thyroid hormones, etc.);
the use of intrauterine contraceptives;
taking antibiotics and corticosteroids;
wearing tight underwear made of synthetic fabrics;
the use of soaps, shampoos, shower gel or other personal hygiene products that irritate the skin (up to sanitary pads and napkins);
frequent cycling, horse riding;
frequent douching;
washing powders and conditioners for laundry;
menopause and menopause.
At risk are women with sensitive skin, having previously allergic reactions, living an active sexual life.
Symptoms of vulvitis
Common symptoms of acute vulvitis are:
change in the usual skin color, odor, and the nature of secretions;
burning and itching;
painful sensations during sexual intercourse;
pain during urination;
redness and swelling of the external genitalia;
general malaise and subfebrile temperature are possible.
Chronic vulvitis occurs with hormonal disorders, concomitant diseases, decreased immunity. Also, chronization occurs due to improper and inadequate treatment of acute vulvitis. Symptoms in the chronic form are absent or poorly expressed.
Vulvitis in girls
In childhood, vulvitis occurs due to non-compliance with personal hygiene, parasitic infestations. Most often, the cause of inflammation is a banal E. coli infection. Symptoms of vulvitis in girls may be more pronounced due to the rapid spread of infection. Severe general symptoms are possible: fever, fever, pain, enlargement of the inguinal lymph nodes. Treatment of vulvitis in children is carried out by a pediatric gynecologist or pediatrician.
Diagnosis of vulvitis
Now that we know what symptoms vulvitis has and what it is, it is necessary to think about the diagnosis.
The full range of diagnostic measures includes:
gynecological examination;
bacteriological examination with inoculation of the material on nutrient media to determine the type of pathogen and its sensitivity to antibacterial drugs;
microscopy of a smear from the vaginal arch, cervical canal and urethra;
ELISA or PCR tests for a specific infection that can cause vulvitis.
Self-diagnosis and self-medication can lead to aggravation of the condition and various complications.
Vulvitis treatment
The tactics of treating inflammation of the external genitalia depends on the cause that caused vulvitis.
Vulvitis of infectious etiology is treated with antibiotics. Rational and adequate antibacterial therapy, taking into account the result of bacteriological analysis for the sensitivity of the pathogen to antibiotics, is the key to a successful cure.
If vulvitis is a symptom of the underlying disease, it is necessary to treat it in the first place. In this case, it is the so-called etiotropic therapy aimed at eliminating the infection. After taking the material for bacteriological analysis, broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed: penicillin, cephalosporin series and macrolides. If the cause of the disease is fungi of the genus Candida, antifungal drugs (Fluconazole, Ketoconazole, Intraconazole) are used.
Nitroimidazole preparations (Metronidazole, Tinidazole) are prescribed for trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginitis.
With a specific infection — ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, chlamydia — macrolide drugs (Erythromycin, Oleandomycin, Azithromycin) are treated for 2-3 weeks. A combination of an antibiotic and an immunostimulator is effective.
It is important to remember that the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases is carried out in a woman and her sexual partner.
Local treatment of vulvitis of infectious etiology
There is a wide range of remedies used to treat vulvitis. Antiseptics, douching, vaginal candles and sedentary baths are used as local remedies.
Sedentary baths with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, Furacilin or Chlorophylypt cleanse, deodorize the skin and kill germs. Douching with Chlorhexidine, Benzalkonium helps eliminate infection in the vagina with vulvovaginitis. Sedentary baths with an infusion of chamomile, calendula, turn have anti-inflammatory properties and relieve itching and burning.
Vaginal suppositories with iodine preparations, Metronidazole, antifungal drugs also eliminate the main cause of the disease — infection.
Vulvitis in diabetes mellitus
In this case, treatment of the underlying disease is necessary. The goal of therapy is to reduce the level of glucose in the blood. Without these measures, the treatment of inflammation of the external genitalia is ineffective.
Allergic vulvitis
Treatment of this form of the disease is carried out with the use of antihistamines and local steroid ointments. The use of cosmetic and hygiene products that cause skin irritation should be avoided. Wearing underwear made of natural fabrics also helps to reduce irritation and itching.
Atrophic vulvitis during menopause
Lack of estrogens can lead to irritation, dryness of the skin and mucous membranes. This is exactly what happens to the vulva during menopause. For the treatment of atrophic vulvitis, local estrogen preparations and hormone replacement therapy are used.
Uncontrolled use of antibiotics and corticosteroids causes candidiasis of the vagina and vulva. You should follow the doctor’s instructions exactly and not self-medicate. If you experience side effects of treatment or allergies to medications, contact your doctor immediately.
Complications of vulvitis
As a rule, inflammation of the external genitalia has no serious complications. The exception is vulvitis or any other infectious disease of the genitals during pregnancy. It is known that vulvovaginitis and vulvitis of an infectious nature can cause premature birth, complications during pregnancy and childbirth. The situation is aggravated by the fact that most drugs during pregnancy are contraindicated, so treatment is carried out only under the supervision of a doctor.
Chronic vulvitis can lead to the formation of adhesions on the genitals. A severe adhesive process can block the vestibule of the vagina, cause its atresia. Frequent complications of vulvitis are cystitis, pyelonephritis, arising from an infection ascending the urinary tract.
Prevention of vulvitis
Prevention of vulvitis includes the following principles:
compliance with the rules of personal, intimate and sexual hygiene;
casual sexual relations should be avoided;
it is necessary to treat all diseases in a timely manner, regularly visit a gynecologist for preventive examinations;
do not use cosmetics and hygiene products with a pungent odor, give preference to hypoallergenic products tested clinically;
wear underwear made of natural fabric;
make a choice in favor of a healthy lifestyle and nutrition.
