Vulvodynia is a common disorder found in the vulva.The genital organ of a female are collectively called vulva. Due to this disorder there is vulvar pain, discomfort and burning that interferes with your health. In some cases Vulvodynia may be caused due to trauma while the common cause for this disorder is due to bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections

The pain may be localized or generalized in vulvar region. Localized vulvodynia in vestibular region is also called as vulvar vestibulitis. Vestibular region may become red. Vulvar pain may extend into clitoris. This is referred as Clitorodynia. The pain may remain constant or provoked if there is a contact with an external object.

Some other possible causes of vulvodynia include sensitivity or allergy to organisms or chemicals found in environment. Vulvodynia may also be caused due to autoimmune disorder, spasm or chronic tension of muscles of vulvar area. Neuropathy may also lead to vulvodynia. Infection or injury to the vulvar area may give rise to this problem. In some cases vulvodynia occurs post genital surgery. This disorder is also found in patients who are suffering from interstitial cystitis.

Diagnosis of this order is based on typical complaints of various patients. Cotton swab test is frequently used to delineate area of pain and to categorize their severity touch. As the cotton ball touches the area of pain, it gives extreme pain to the patients. Many patients suffering from this disorder do consult several gynecologists for their advice before any final conclusion on the diagnosis is made.

Treatment is primarily based on empirical experience. Patients who are suffering from this disorder should always wear cotton underwear and avoid synthetics. You should also avoid vulvar irritants such as perfumes, shampoos and detergents. Soaps should not be used for cleaning the infected area. Use cotton menstrual pads. Oral and injectable medication such as estrogens, anesthetics alone can be taken. Surgery is another option available to treat this disorder where vaginal extension is performed. This process involves pulling forward the vaginal tissue and removing the skin.

Vulvar Cysts Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

A cyst is nothing but a pus filled inflamed lesion. It goes into the skin and can cause a lot of pain. Bartholins glands are very small, round, nonpalable and located in posterolateral vaginal orifice. Obstruction of Bartholin duct causes these glands to enlarge due to mucus resulting in vulvar cysts. Causes of obstruction are still unknown.

A vulvar cyst can be treated with a cone biopsy or cryotherapy. These cysts are uncommon. They usually occur in women and are often painless. Symptoms of vulvar cysts include pain while walking, vulvar irritation, dyspareunia and vulvar asymmetry. Some forms of vulvar cysts are usually red and painful and may form abscesses. With the help of physical examination the doctors can come to know whether one is suffering from vulvar cysts. Large vulvar cysts require drainage with excision. Abscesses require antibiotics. Bartholins gland cysts is the most common form of vulvar cysts.

Most vulgar cysts are asymptomatic but can be interfering, irritating with walking and intercourse. These cysts are unilateral, palpable and nontender near vaginal orifice. Cysts distend the distressed labia majora which causes vulvar asymmetry.
Abscesses tend to give severe vulvar pain and at times high fever. Abscesses are typically erthematous. Vulver cancer which are developed from Bartholins glands sometime resemble these cysts

Women who are suffering from asymptomatic cysts and are less than 40 years old do not need any treatment. However, Symptomatic vulvar cysts may need surgery. A  Surgery produces permanent opening from duct part to the exterior. Surgery is regarded as a permanent solution to the problem of vulvar cysts.

There are many causes of vulvar cysts. Firstly an obstruction to the normal flow of fluid may lead to vulvar cysts.Secondly, chronic inflammatory conditions and vaginal infections are also responsible for causing this disorder. Imperfections in developing organs and genetically inherited conditions may also be the factors that cause vulvar cysts.

The vulva is the outer part of the female genital organs. The vulva does not refer to a single part; instead, it refers to the area around the genital organs that is made up of several different parts. The labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, mons pubis and vaginal opening are all parts of the vulva. As it makes up the external part of the female reproductive system, the vulva is visible from the outside. However, every woman has a different vulvar structure depending on various different factors. Therefore, there is no specific description that one can give about the visible anatomy of the vulva. The difference in structure of the vulva may be responsible for medical conditions that some women are susceptible to while others are not at risk of developing. The vulva is an extremely responsive part of the female body because of the presence of many nerve endings and a lot of blood vessels. Outer parts of the vulva are covered in pubic hair. A lot of women get rid of this hair for a variety of reasons, which could be due to health issues or also sexual performance.

A cyst is a closed sac that forms at any place in or on the body. Depending on its location, a cyst may contain fluid or semi solid masses within it. Some cysts even contain gas within them. In most cases, the term cyst refers to a swelling or a boil that appears on the surface of the skin. Most skin cysts are a result of impacted hair follicles. Hair grows on the skin of the body in many different places. Hair on the arms and legs, for example, is designed for thermoregulation. When hair is growing through a follicle that is blocked or damaged, it may grow inwards. This allows opportunistic infections to develop on the site of the hair follicle because of the exposed inner skin. This may result in the release of a fluid by the body to combat the infectious material. Cysts are sometimes self resolving when they burst and release their fluid. Other cysts need to be removed surgically.

A vulvar cyst or cyst on the vulva, put simply, is a cyst in the vulvar region of the female body. This could refer to a cyst anywhere in the area. Usually, a vulvar cyst is present in an area where hair growth tends to occur. However, this type of hair related cyst is less common in the area around the vulva. Most vulvar cysts, rare as they are, are known as Bartholin’s cysts. The vagina is a self cleaning organ that releases a continuous flow of mucus that flows out of the area. This makes sure that infectious materials are removed from the area. The vulvar area is filled with many glands that ensure its lubrication during sexual arousal. There are other mucus producing glands in the area as well. Blockages in any of these glands could be one of the reasons of what causes vulvar cyst to develop.

A cyst on the vulva is usually easier to deal with than a cyst within the vulva. This second case refers to a cyst in the vulva region, that is, within a fold of skin in the area. This is less accessible and is often quite painful to the woman. An external cyst on the vulva is usually easily dealt with, sometimes in the same way that one would deal with a cyst anywhere else on the body. Sometimes, these vulvar cysts appear to be similar to pimples that most people experience on their face from time to time. In some cases, a vulvar cyst may be extremely large and may appear as pus filled cyst on the vulva, causing therefore a visible asymmetry in the shape of the vulva.

While the logic behind the cause of a vulvar cyst is known, the reason for this to occur is still a bit of a mystery. The logic behind the cause of a vulvar cyst is that the Bartholin’s gland or gland on the outer surface gets blocked. However, the reason for this blockage to take place is, as yet, unknown. The blockage of the glands around the vulva occurs for reasons unknown. Some research suggests that hormonal changes in the body cause the fluids to change their chemistry resulting in blockage. Other theories suggest that a lack of normal levels of hydration is to be blamed. Finally, some theories suggest that women who are not sexually active will suffer from such conditions as there is no regular flow of blood as a result of stimulation to the area. Whatever be the cause of a vulvar cyst, treating cysts on vulva isn’t much of a problem.

After examination from a doctor, a vulvar cyst may be treated using a wait-and-watch approach or by surgical removal. For external cysts, this treatment is often used. During this time, the woman needs to wash the area regularly and thoroughly, without applying too much pressure on the cyst. The use of antibiotics for a vulvar abscess may be required as this will ensure that there is no development of an infection from the site. Larger or embedded vulvar cysts need to be treated using surgery. This form of vulvar cyst treatment is obviously more painful. However, it may be needed as the vulvar cyst may not be self resolving. This type of vulvar cyst treatment takes place in a doctor’s clinic or in a hospital. The treatment is done on an outpatient basis. There is no preparation required for surgical vulvar cyst treatment.

While treating a vulvar cyst, women should avoid all forms of sexual activity. This holds true even for vulvar abscess treatment. The development of infections is far more likely in period. Furthermore, a removed or burst cyst may be sore during the recovery period which may cause considerable pain to the woman. Therefore, it is recommended that the woman refrain from all forms of sexual contact. The area must be cleaned regularly after treatment and must be kept dry as well. These small steps are essential for the health of the vulva and to ensure that there is no repeat development of a cyst. Cysts contain infected material and this must not be allowed to spread either to the vagina or to the urinary system. it is therefore necessary to prevent altogether the condition from occurring. An everyday self check for the vulva cysts symptoms would help in keeping the condition at bay.

Vaginitis is a very common problem seen in women, where in there is an inflammation of vaginal mucosa and is associated with an infection or irritation of vulva leading to vulvovaginitis. Vaginitis can be asymptomatic but often leads to irritation and vaginal itching. A person suffering from Vaginitis should seek medical help immediately. If an infectious organism is responsible for causing Vaginitis then the infection spreads throughout the uterus into the ovaries and fallopian tubes and may also lead to infertility. An infection through human papillomavirus increases the risk of cervical carcinoma.
If neglected further complications such as superficial skin infection, candida infection and persistent discomfort may follow.

Diagnosis for this disorder is made by measuring the PH value in the urine content. PH value increases due to vaginal infection.

Symptoms of Vaginitis include itching or irritation of genital area, inflammation of perineal area or labia majora. Swelling, redness and irritation is caused due to the occurrence of extra immune cells. Vaginal discharge, burning or discomfort when urinating, foul vbaginal odors, pain with sexual intercourse are some of the other symptoms of Vaginitis.

There are various forms of Vaginitis. Infectious Vaginitis generally occurs during reproductive age of women. Hormonal Vaginitis is generally found in postmenopausal women. Sometimes it occurs in girls before puberty. Allergies to lubricants, douches, perfumes, soaps, spermicides and condoms may lead to irritant Vaginitis. It may also be caused due to abrasion, tampons, tissue, hot tubes or topical medications.

Treatment to vagintis depends on the cause of infection. It may include topical or oral antibiotics or antibacterial creams, antifungal creams or similar medications. A cream that contains cortisone is very useful to get relief from the irritation which becomes unbearable. In case of allergic reactions the doctor may prescribe an antihistamine. If inflammation and irritation is caused due to decreased levels of estrogen then the doctor may prescribe an estrogen cream.

Every woman experiences few traces of vaginal discharge produced by the glands in cervix and vagina. This discharge keeps the vaginal area lubricated, clean and infection free. The amount and consistency of the discharge differs according the stages of menstrual cycle. If the vaginal fluid appears clear or milky, if it is thin and stringy and without any foul odor, then it can be considered as a normal discharge. If the vaginal discharge suddenly varies in odor, quantity, color or consistency, it is supposed to be an abnormal discharge and it is time for you to visit the doctor.

Here are some signs which indicate the abnormal vaginal discharge:

1. Constant or increased amount of the discharge, especially in clots

2. Itching or rash in and around the vagina

3. Blood discharged any time except menstruation period.

4. Inflammation in vagina during urination

5. Change in the consistency of vaginal discharge such as cottage cheese like consistency

6. Bad odor along with yellow, grey or green discharge

There are many things that may lead to disturb the balance of healthy vagina. Some of the common causes for abnormal vaginal discharge are douching, certain soaps or bubble baths, feminine hygiene sprays, antibiotics, pregnancy, diabetes and some infections like yeast and bacterial infection and Trichomoniasis. The sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea and Chlamydia can also cause the vaginal discharge. The conditions like emotional stress, sexual excitement and ovulation can lead to increase in the amount of discharge.

An alteration in the color, odor and consistency of the vaginal discharge is referred as vaginitis. It should be treated as early as possible to avoid further complications. There are some treatment measures to cure the vaginal discharge. Always keep your genital area dry and clean. Avoid douching, use of tight pants, swimming suites and use of deodorant tampons or pads, perfumed toilet paper, feminine hygiene spray and avoid the bubble bath. After using the toilet, wipe from front to back to avoid the bacterial infection from the rectal area. The yeast or bacterial infections and Trichomoniasis can be treated by antibiotics and oral medicines.