“The skin of the vulva is extremely delicate, making it vulnerable to a wide range of conditions. Vulval irritation and vulvitis (inflammation) are common terms…”.1
Umbrella
What may the Vulval Irritation Umbrella include?
Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:
- Genital Itch
- Vestibulitis
- Vestibulodynia
- Vulva/Vulval/Vulvar Discomfort/Irritation/Pain
- Vulva/Vulval/Vulvar Skin Conditions
- Vulvar Itching
- Vulval Vestibulitis
- Vulvitis
- Vulvovaginal Discomfort/Pain
Vulva
What is the vulva?
DotS the definition of the vulva may vary. The (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s (JH) definition is:
“Vulva is the general name given to the external parts of the female genitals”.2
Vulval Irritation
What is vulval irritation?
DotS the definition of vulval irritation may vary. In Vulva & Vaginal Irritation: Irritation the JH explain:
Vulval irritation and vulvitis (inflammation) are common terms used to describe the irritation. Sometimes part of the vulva, or sometimes the entire vulva, has some of the following:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Burning
- Itching
- Skin cracking or splitting (fissuring)
- Whitening of skin (leukoplakia)
- Associated vaginal inflammation or discharge”.3
Vulvitis
What is vulvitis?
DotS the definition of vulvitis may vary. In Vulvitis: Overview – What Is Vulvitis? the (United States) Cleveland Clinic’s definition is:
Cause
What can cause vulval irritation?
In Vulva & Vaginal Irritation: Causes of Vaginal Irritation the JH note:
- Sweating
- Vaginal secretions
- Skin conditions such as:
- Dermatitis
- Eczema
- Lichen sclerosus (skin is often pale or whitish)
- Fungal, bacterial or viral infections such as:
- Candidiasis (thrush)
- Trichomonas
- Genital herpes
- Some medications, preservatives and local anaesthetics
- Tight clothing, pantyhose, G-strings
- Allergies to substances such as:
- Soaps, bath and hair products
- Synthetic underwear
- Feminine hygiene products
- Perfumes
- Laundry detergents
- Scented or coloured toilet paper
- Wax
- Spermicides
- Condoms
- Lubricants used for intercourse
- Douches (vaginal irrigation – this is never advised)”.5
Douching
What is douching?
DotS the definition of douching may vary. In Douching: What Is Douching? the Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov’s definition is:
Is douching different from washing the outside of your vagina during a bath or shower?
Yes. Womenshealth.gov explain:
Most doctors recommend that women do not douche”.7
Vulval Clinics
Are there clinics specializing in vulval conditions?
DotC (Depending on the Country) there may be clinics specializing in vulval conditions with gynecologists, dermatologists, physiotherapists and other multidisciplinary staff.
These multidisciplinary clinics may be called:
- Genito-Urinary Medicine Clinics
- Multidisciplinary Vulva/Vulval/Vulvar Clinics
- Vulva/Vulval/Vulvar Clinics
- Vulvovaginal Clinics
Health Care Provider
What if I think I have vulval irritation?
If you think you have vulval irritation, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. The JH encourage us to seek help and explain:
Rather than try to treat the problem yourself, it is important to see your doctor”.8
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics related to the Vulval Irritation?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
Where may I find Links related to Vulval Irritation?
Your Country may have Links similar to:
Links
This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.- Advice and Self-Help
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- Australian and New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society
- British Society for the Study of Vulval Disease [BSSVD]
- British Society for the Study of Vulval Disease [BSSVD]: Clinic Map [United Kingdom]
- Candidiasis/Yeast Infection
- Caredownthere.com
- Causes of Vaginal Itching [+ Images]
- Changes In the Vagina and Vulva
- Check Your Vulva
- Disorders of the Vulva: Common Causes of Vulvar Pain, Burning, and Itching
- Douching
- Essential Information: Caring for Your Skin Down There
- Essential Information: Latex Allergy
- Essential Information: See Your Doctor If
- Fact Sheets and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Resources – Vaginal Estrogen Therapy
- Further Help: Getting Help From Health Professionals
- Further Help: Other Helpful Sites
- Further Help: Reading and Resources
- General Good Advice
- Genital Care for Women
- Genital Herpes
- Genital Herpes
- Genital Itch In Women
- Glossary
- Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month [September, United States]
- Gynecologic Cancers: Vaginal and Vulvar Cancers
- Gynecologic Cancers: What Is Gynecologic Cancer?
- How To Perform Vulval Self-Examination
- International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease: Resource Library – For Patients
- Lichen Sclerosus
- Lichensclerosis.org [Association for Lichen Sclerosus & Vulval Health]
- Lichensclerosis.org [Association for Lichen Sclerosus & Vulval Health]: Finding Doctors
- Managing Common Vulvar Skin Conditions
- Medical Advice: Bacterial Vaginosis
- Medical Advice: Chronic Thrush (Also Known As Candida)
- Medical Advice: Lichen Planus
- Medical Advice: Lichen Sclerosus
- Medical Advice: Psoriasis
- Medical Advice: Treatment
- Medical Advice: Vulval Eczema
- Medical Advice: Vulval Pain
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
- National Vulvodynia Association: For Patients: How NVA Can Help You
- National Vulvodynia Association: Patient Stories
- Pain In the Vulva or Pelvis
- Pelvic Exam
- Pelvicpain.org.uk [Pain Support Network, United Kingdom]
- Pelvicpain.org.uk [Pain Support Network, United Kingdom]: Resources and Clinics
- Pudendal Neuralgia Symptoms
- Pudendalhope.info [Health Organization for Pudendal Education]
- Related Topics
- Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists [United Kingdom]
The Normal Vulva
- The Vulva: Irritation, Diagnosis & Treatment – Booklet
- Uklp.org.uk [Lichen Planus [United Kingdom]
- Urogenital Atrophy Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Urogenital Problems
- Vaco.co.uk [Vulva Awareness Campaign Organisation]
- Vaginal & Vulval Pain: Know the Different Causes and When To Seek Help
- Vaginal Dryness
- Vaginal Dryness
- Vaginal Dryness Alternative Treatments
- Vaginal and Vulvar Cancers
- Vaginitis
- Video Series-2019 – Talking To Your Clinician About Sexual Health Concerns
- Video Series-2020 – How To Talk To Your Primary Care Clinician About Your Overall Health
- Video Series-2020 – How To Talk To Your Primary Care Clinician About Your Overall Health
- Video Series-2021 – What Women Need To Know About Hormone Therapies
- Vulva & Vaginal Irritation
- Vulva & Vaginal Irritation: Management & Treatment [+ Video]
- Vulva [Image]
- Vulva and Vaginal Health: Getting the Right Advice
- Vulva, Vagina, Ovaries & Uterus
- Vulva, Vagina, Ovaries & Uterus
- Vulval Cancer
- Vulval Pain
- Vulvalpainsociety.org [Vulval Pain Society, United Kingdom]
- Vulvar Anatomy [+ Images]
- Vulvar Cancer
- Vulvar Cancer
- Vulvar Cancer–Patient Version [+ Image]
- Vulvar Care
- Vulvar Disorders
- Vulvitis
- Vulvitis: Management & Treatment
- Vulvitis: Prevention
- Vulvodynia
- Vulvodynia
- Vulvovaginal Health
- Vulvovaginal Symptoms After Menopause
- Vulvovaginitis – Overview
- What’s Normal: What Is Normal Vulval & Vaginal Anatomy?
- Women Can Breathe Sigh of Relief When Using Vaginal Estrogen To Treat Menopause Symptoms
- Women – Do You Have Unexplained Genital Pain?
- Women’s Wellness: Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Health Problems
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- Vulva & Vaginal Irritation: Irritation. Last Updated: 22 December 2020 | Last Reviewed 24 February 2014. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/vulva-vaginal-irritation Accessed: 04 January 2021
- Vulva & Vaginal Irritation. Last Updated: 22 December 2020 | Last Reviewed 24 February 2014. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/vulva-vaginal-irritation Accessed: 04 January 2021
- Vulva & Vaginal Irritation: Irritation. Last Updated: 22 December 2020 | Last Reviewed 24 February 2014. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/vulva-vaginal-irritation Accessed: 04 January 2021
- Vulvitis: Overview – What Is Vulvitis? Last Reviewed By A Cleveland Clinic Medical Professional on: 15 March 2018. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15175-vulvitis Accessed: 04 January 2021
- Vulva & Vaginal Irritation: Causes of Vulval Irritation. Last Updated: 22 December 2020 | Last Reviewed 24 February 2014. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/vulva-vaginal-irritation Accessed: 04 January 2021
- Douching: What Is Douching? Medical Review In 2014. Page Last Updated: 01 April 2019. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/douching Accessed: 04 January 2021
- Douching: What Is Douching? Medical Review In 2014. Page Last Updated: 01 April 2019. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/douching Accessed: 04 January 2021
- Vulva & Vaginal Irritation: Diagnosis. Last Updated: 22 December 2020 | Last Reviewed 24 February 2014. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/vulva-vaginal-irritation Accessed: 04 January 2021