Treatment of Vulvitis

Discomfort, itching, or burning in the intimate area are symptoms that should not be ignored. Even if the manifestations seem minor, they may indicate an inflammatory process that requires medical attention. One of such conditions is vulvitis — a disease that can occur both in adult women and in children.

At the Oxford Medical clinic, patients are offered a comprehensive approach: from accurate diagnostics to individually selected therapy. The main task is not simply to eliminate unpleasant manifestations, but to influence the cause of inflammation and prevent its recurrence.

Vulvitis is inflammation of the external female genital organs: the labia majora and labia minora, the clitoris, and the vestibule of the vagina. The mucous membrane of this area is sensitive to hormonal changes, mechanical irritation, and infectious factors, therefore the inflammatory process may develop quite quickly and be accompanied by pronounced discomfort.

According to the course of the disease, the following are distinguished:

• acute form;

• chronic form.

Acute vulvitis develops suddenly, with redness, swelling, itching, and pain in the area of the external genital organs. The symptoms are usually clearly pronounced and require timely treatment.

Chronic vulvitis develops gradually or is a consequence of an inadequately treated acute process. In such a case, the complaints may be less intense but prolonged, with periodic exacerbations.

If inflammation is predominantly localized in the area of the labia majora and labia minora, vulvitis of the labia is diagnosed. When the process also involves the vaginal mucosa, a combination with vaginitis is possible — then it is referred to as vulvovaginitis.

Timely diagnosis and properly selected treatment make it possible to stop the inflammatory process and prevent the transition of the disease into a chronic form.

The intensity of symptoms may vary from mild irritation to pronounced pain. In the acute form, manifestations are usually pronounced, whereas in the chronic course they may be less pronounced but prolonged.

Vulvitis in women often develops against the background of hormonal changes, decreased local immunity, or concomitant gynecological infections. In adult patients, inflammation may affect daily comfort and sexual life.

In addition to the main symptoms, women may note dryness of the mucous membrane, increased sensitivity of tissues, pain during sexual intercourse, or a change in the nature of discharge. Sometimes complaints have a nonspecific nature and resemble other inflammatory processes of the reproductive system, which complicates independent assessment of the condition.

In childhood, the clinical picture may differ. Vulvitis in a girl is often accompanied by pronounced itching, redness, irritation of the skin around the genital organs, and discomfort during urination. Due to anatomical features and low levels of estrogens, the mucous membrane in children is more sensitive to infections and mechanical irritants, therefore symptoms may develop faster.

Vulvitis is not an independent “accidental” condition — in most cases it has a specific cause or a combination of factors. The inflammatory process may arise as a reaction of the mucous membrane to infection, irritation, or internal changes in the body.

The most common causes of vulvitis:

• bacterial infections, including opportunistic microflora;

• fungal infection (more often against the background of decreased immunity or after taking antibiotics);

• concomitant vaginitis, in which inflammation spreads to the external genital organs;

• allergic reactions to intimate hygiene products, sanitary pads, underwear;

• mechanical irritation or microtraumas of the mucous membrane;

• hormonal changes (during pregnancy, in the period of menopause);

• endocrine disorders, in particular diabetes mellitus;

• insufficient or, conversely, excessive intimate hygiene.

In children, the causes may differ. The mucous membrane in girls is thinner and less protected due to low levels of estrogens, therefore inflammation may occur even with minor irritation, hygiene disturbances, or after previous intestinal infections.

In some cases, the causes are combined: for example, against the background of hormonal changes, a fungal infection joins, or mechanical irritation supports the inflammatory process. That is why it is important not only to relieve the symptoms, but also to establish the factor that provoked the development of the disease.

Treatment begins with a consultation with a gynecologist: the doctor evaluates the condition of the mucous membrane, уточняет жалобы, collects medical history, and, if necessary, prescribes examination. Diagnosis of vulvitis helps confirm the inflammatory process, determine its cause, and establish an accurate diagnosis. The tactics of therapy depend on the etiology, since vulvitis may be associated with a bacterial or fungal infection, irritation (contact/allergic component), microtraumatization of the mucous membrane, or concomitant diseases.

Depending on the clinical situation, the doctor may prescribe:

• local anti-inflammatory agents to reduce swelling, itching, and irritation;

• antiseptic solutions or baths for treating the mucous membrane;

• antifungal drugs — in case of confirmed fungal infection;

• antibacterial agents — in case of bacterial inflammation;

• preparations for restoring normal microflora;

• correction of concomitant gynecological or endocrine disorders.

If the inflammation has an allergic or contact nature, a mandatory stage is the elimination of the irritating factor — changing intimate hygiene products, отказ от synthetic underwear, correction of daily care habits.

Patients often ask how to treat vulvitis correctly in order to avoid recurrence. It is important to complete the full course of therapy and not to stop treatment immediately after the symptoms disappear.

If the process lasts a long time or periodically recurs, chronic vulvitis is formed, which requires more detailed examination and step-by-step therapy with monitoring of results.

In children, the approach differs: treatment of vulvitis in girls has its own characteristics, since the mucous membrane in children is thinner and more sensitive due to low levels of estrogens. In therapy, максимально gentle local agents are used, aggressive antiseptics and drugs with irritating effects are avoided. The hygiene regimen, possible mechanical or allergic factors, as well as the condition of the intestinal microflora are обязательно evaluated. In some cases, consultation with a pediatric gynecologist may be required.

With timely medical attention and properly selected therapy, rapid treatment of vulvitis is possible — when symptoms decrease already in the first days, and the inflammatory process is controllably relieved without complications.

Prevention of vulvitis is primarily aimed at reducing factors that may cause irritation or disturbance of the microflora balance. Following simple recommendations helps reduce the risk of primary inflammation and recurrent episodes.

The main preventive measures include:

• daily intimate hygiene using mild products without aggressive components and fragrances;

• refusal of excessive use of antiseptics and douching, which may disrupt the natural protective barrier of the mucous membrane;

• wearing underwear made of natural fabrics that provides normal ventilation;

• timely change of hygiene products during menstruation;

• treatment of gynecological infections and monitoring of the state of the microflora;

• regular preventive examinations by a gynecologist.

A systematic approach to prevention makes it possible to maintain the health of the intimate area and significantly reduce the risk of developing inflammatory diseases.

During pregnancy, the mucous membrane of the intimate area becomes more sensitive due to hormonal changes, and local immune protection may decrease. Therefore, inflammation may develop faster, and привычные self-treatment remedies may be dangerous. The treatment strategy is determined only by a doctor after examination and test results.

Treatment of vulvitis during pregnancy usually includes:

• уточнение the cause of inflammation and monitoring the microflora in order to distinguish a bacterial process from a fungal one or contact irritation;

• local remedies permitted during pregnancy, which reduce itching, burning, and inflammation without affecting the course of pregnancy;

• antifungal or antibacterial drugs — only when indicated, when the infectious factor is confirmed by examination results;

• correction of factors that поддерживают inflammation: changing intimate hygiene products, отказ от scented pads, synthetic underwear, normalization of daily care;

• monitoring the effectiveness of treatment and a follow-up examination to make sure that the symptoms have disappeared and the inflammation is completely relieved.

It is important to remember: during pregnancy, you should not use douching, aggressive antiseptics, or “universal” suppositories without a doctor’s prescription. Even if the symptoms have decreased, the treatment must be completed according to the regimen in order to avoid relapse and the transition of the process to a chronic form.

The cost of vulvitis treatment depends on the form of the disease. In mild cases, a doctor’s consultation, basic tests, and local therapy are sufficient. If the inflammatory process has a prolonged course or is combined with other gynecological diseases, extended diagnostics and comprehensive treatment may be required.

At the medical center “Oxford Medical,” patients receive a full range of care — from the initial examination to monitoring the results of therapy. The clinic provides modern medical services in the field of women’s health in accordance with current clinical recommendations.

The network of departments operates in different districts of the capital: gynecology is available in Pozniaky, Obolon, Vynohradar, Podil, and in other districts of Kyiv. This makes it possible to choose a convenient location and undergo examination without unnecessary time expenditure.

You can ознакомиться with the prices here in advance. To start examination and treatment, it is enough to make an appointment at a convenient time for you by phone or through the online form on the website.