Vulvitis and Vulvovaginitis – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments

Vulvitis and Vulvovaginitis – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments. Vulvitis and Vulvovaginitis are inflammations  of the outer part of the female genital organ (called the vulva). While in vulvitis the irritation occurs in the vulva, in vulvovaginitis it occurs in the vulva and vagina . They are mainly caused by the presence of various microorganisms that cause discharge .

The same bacteria that cause Candidiasis , Trichonomiasis and Chlamydia can develop vulvitis and vulvovaginitis . Vulvovaginitis can also be caused by the use of allergic products , such as synthetic fabric panties, fabric softeners, colored or perfumed toilet paper, scented soaps and even the daily habit of using the shower as a vaginal douche .

Pregnant women can develop chronic vulvitis after childbirth due to their sensitivity to certain chemicals such as latex in condoms, tampons, and  intimate soaps. Their low immunity favors the development of infections. So, check out  Vulvitis and Vulvovaginitis – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments.

Symptoms of Vulvitis and Vulvovaginitis : The most common symptoms of vulvitis and vulvovaginitis are:

• Inflammation  of the vulva;
• redness ;
• discharge ;
• Vulvar pruritus (intense itching of the vulva).

What sets vulvitis and vulvovaginitis apart from other sexually transmitted diseases is the type of irritation, the texture, and the color of the discharge .

Diagnosis  of Vulvitis and Vulvovaginitis:  As with sexually transmitted diseases, vulvitis is diagnosed by gynecological examinations, and if necessary, vulvoscopy.

Exams  for Vulvitis and Vulvovaginitis:  they are inflammations of the vulva and vagina , respectively, manifested by redness , swelling and burning in the genital region. The origin of vulvitis and vulvovaginitis can be infectious, inflammatory , hormonal, due to the use of products that cause allergic reactions, chemotherapy treatments and lack of adequate intimate hygiene.

Menopause also increases the predisposition to the disease, with the drop in hormones and the consequent reduction of natural vaginal secretion  and loss of elasticity of vaginal tissues  , the region is injured more easily, opening the way for infections.

The diagnosis of the disease is carried out through a clinical gynecological examination in which the doctor observes the appearance of the genitals and pays attention to the patient’s complaints. But the most reliable test for the diagnosis of vulvitis and vulvovaginitis is vulvoscopy , a procedure performed with a device called a colposcope, which allows for a magnification of up to 40 times, allowing a detailed analysis of the vulva.

After the result, treatment for vulvitis and vulvovaginitis  should be started as soon as possible and for the time indicated by the gynecologist to ensure the cure of the disease and avoid the possibility of a new infection.

Prevention For Vulvitis and Vulvovaginitis: To prevent the onset of vulvitis and vulvovaginitis , the following daily habits should be avoided:

• Vaginal douching ;
• Wearing tight clothing in the genital region;
• Use of underwear made of synthetic fabrics;
• Sex without a condom;
• Perfumed soap with high PH;
• Use of  daily absorbents .

Treatments For Vulvovaginitis: For the correct treatment of vulvovaginitis and vulvitis , a woman should consult a gynecologist. The main indications are oral medications and change of habits.

Avoid applying  healing creams in the vulva and vagina area , this can worsen the inflammation . Self-medication is dangerous. Any treatment must be prescribed by a doctor.

The treatment is performed by oral medications and vaginal creams , and has a high success rate in healing. But, what to do when the problem becomes routine?

The recurrence of vaginal infections such as vulvitis and vulvovaginitis originates from a possible imbalance of the vaginal flora caused by several reasons: decreased immunity , allergies , stress , use of synthetic fabric panties and very tight clothes that do not allow the skin to breathe , lack of adequate hygiene and unprotected sex .

In addition, if attacks of vulvitis or vulvovaginitis occur in a short time, look for your gynecologist urgently, describe the condition, perform the indicated gynecological exams and follow the treatment with rigidity, only then will it be possible to get rid of this disease once and for all. that bothers so many women around the world.