“Vulval irritation
is when different products and chemicals
affect the sensitive skin of the vulva”.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:

“Your vulva is the external part of your female genitals that you can see. Your vagina is inside your body”.2

Vulval Irritation

What is vulval irritation?

DotS the definition of vulval irritation may vary. In Vulva Irritation: What Is Vulval Irritation? the JH explain:

“Vulval irritation is when different products and chemicals affect the sensitive skin of the vulva”.3

What are vulval irritation symptoms?

In Vulva Irritation: Symptoms the JH explain:

“Vulval irritation can be associated with other signs and symptoms, including:

  • Burning
  • Itching
  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Vaginal discomfort
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Skin cracking or splitting (fissuring)
  • Whitening of skin (leukoplakia)
  • Painful sex (dyspareunia)”.4

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:

“Vulvitis is inflammation in your vulva, or your genitals. Your vulva includes the soft folds of skin that surround your vagina, including your labia majora (the outer folds), labia minora (vaginal lips) and your clitoris. Your vulva may become inflamed because of an infection, allergic reaction or injury that irritates your skin”.5

Cause

What can cause vulval irritation?

In Vulval Irritation: What Causes Vulval Irritation the JH note:


Vulval Irritation
“Vulval irritation can be caused by many things. Common causes are listed below.

  • Bodily functions…
  • Products…
  • Clothes…
  • Skin conditions…
  • Infections…
  • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)…
  • Other conditions…
  • Hormones…
  • Medicines…
  • Cancer…”.6

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:

“The word “douche” means to wash or soak. Douching is washing or cleaning out the inside of the vagina with water or other mixtures of fluids. Most douches are sold in stores as prepackaged mixes of water and vinegar, baking soda, or iodine. The mixtures usually come in a bottle or bag. You squirt the douche upward through a tube or nozzle into your vagina. The water mixture then comes back out through your vagina”.7

Is douching different from washing the outside of your vagina during a bath or shower?

Yes. Womenshealth.gov explain:

“Douching is different from washing the outside of your vagina during a bath or shower. Rinsing the outside of your vagina with warm water will not harm your vagina. But, douching can lead to many different health problems.

Most doctors recommend that women do not douche”.8

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:

“If you are experiencing vulval irritation and your symptoms are not getting better, it’s important to see your doctor. They will take your medical history and ask about your symptoms. If they don’t check your vulva, ask for an examination. You might also need to have a urine test, vulval or vaginal swab, blood test or vulval biopsy. This process will ensure you get the right diagnosis and treatment.

The sooner you seek help, the sooner your symptoms will improve”.9

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z 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:

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Vulval Irritation: What Is Vulval Irritation? Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 26 April 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina/vulval-irritation Accessed: 10 January 2024
  2. Vulval Irritation Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 26 April 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina/vulval-irritation Accessed: 10 January 2024
  3. Vulval Irritation: What Is Vulval Irritation? Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 26 April 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina/vulval-irritation Accessed: 10 January 2024
  4. Vulval Irritation: Symptoms. Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 26 April 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina/vulval-irritation Accessed: 10 January 2024
  5. Vulvitis: Overview – What Is Vulvitis? Last Reviewed By A Cleveland Clinic Medical Professional on: 21 June 2022. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15175-vulvitis Accessed: 10 January 2024
  6. Vulval Irritation: What Causes Vulval Irritation? Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 26 April 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina/vulval-irritation Accessed: 10 January 2024
  7. Douching: What Is Douching? Page Last Updated: 29 December 2022. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/douching Accessed: 10 January 2024
  8. Douching: What Is Douching? Page Last Updated: 29 December 2022. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/douching Accessed: 10 January 2024
  9. Vulval Irritation: When To See Your Doctor. Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 26 April 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina/vulval-irritation Accessed: 10 January 2024
Topic Last Updated: 03 March 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 10 January 2024

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