home Audience 4 Treatment of vulvitis in women with vaginal ointments. Symptoms of vulvitis in women and methods of effective treatment

Treatment of vulvitis in women with vaginal ointments. Symptoms of vulvitis in women and methods of effective treatment

When vulvitis appears in women and girls, timely treatment and well-chosen medications are the key to preventing complications. For the external genitalia, constant exposure to traumatic agents is common. Let's talk about what vulvitis is and what the symptoms of the disease look like. This pathology refers to inflammatory processes that affect the external reproductive organs - in particular, the clitoris and labia, the vaginal vestibule and the hymen.

Vulvitis in women is a common occurrence in gynecology, and the severity of the symptoms is not too obvious, which contributes to the development of complications due to late diagnosis and lack of treatment. Another danger is the transition from acute to chronic; getting rid of this form of pathology is even more difficult.

Why does the disease develop?

The pathology in question usually affects external organs, but the process is rarely an independent phenomenon - much more often vulvovaginitis is diagnosed, affecting the initial vaginal sections. Not only adults have to worry about the disease, since acute vulvitis and its chronic form can also be diagnosed in children against the background of an imperfect immune system and anatomical structure. The problem may lie in numerous vaginal folds and a thin mucous layer that is susceptible to damage.

The causes of vulvitis are quite varied, but there are basic ones that should be taken into account first:

Problems with personal hygiene, especially during menstruation.
Incorrectly selected products for maintaining a woman’s intimate hygiene.
Wearing tight underwear made of synthetic fabrics.
The use of scented pads, the use of tampons made of low-quality materials.
Frequent causes of vulvitis are mechanical microtraumas of the mucous layer during rough or overly active sexual contact; damage can also be caused by incorrectly selected underwear.
Vulvitis can develop due to excessive sweating.
Symptoms of vulvitis in women can be triggered by prolonged irritation caused by secretions of the mucous layer of the vulva.
The cause of the formation of sexual diseases can be prolonged use of hormonal medications, antimicrobial drugs used to treat any other pathology.
The reason for the formation of the disease can be attributed to radiation therapy.
An influencing factor may be any disease - diabetes, hypovitaminosis, excess weight, leukemia and impaired ovarian function.
Allergic reactions.
Presence of helminthiasis.
The appearance of fistulas in the intestines or urinary tract.

For women, the presence of these causes becomes dangerous when they are accompanied by an infection. Inflammation is caused by an imbalance of microflora, when opportunistic microorganisms begin to activate under the influence of certain factors. Most often, inflammation is caused by staphylococci and streptococci, Candida fungi and E. coli, and other microorganisms.

Pathogenic microflora - gonococci, Trichomonas or chlamydia and other pathogens - may also be to blame for the formation of female inflammation.

Proven fact. The development of this female pathology is observed when the integrity of the mucous layers is impaired and immunity deteriorates.

Classification of the disease and its symptoms

For vulvitis in women, symptoms and treatment development largely depend on the classification of the pathology. When considering this disease, division can be made in accordance with the mechanism of development, when determining the primary or secondary form of the disease. Primary vulvitis is accompanied by isolated inflammatory processes in the external organs, characteristic of a girl or postmenopausal woman. The secondary disease develops due to a decrease in the amount of estrogen that the female body produces. Due to the sharply decreased amount of discharge, atrophic vulvitis is formed, characterized by thinning and drying of the mucous layers. Against the background of atrophy, the mucous membrane is damaged quite easily, which provokes infection and the inflammatory process.

A healthy woman of reproductive age may not be afraid of infection, since the mucous layer of the vulva, thanks to natural hormonal levels, lactobacilli and acidic pH, is resistant to the effects of infectious pathogens. Accordingly, the appearance of symptoms of primary vulvitis is quite rare. Basically, during childbearing age, female diseases are secondary diseases as a result of inflammation - colpitis or endocervicitis. Depending on the nature of the disease, it can be:

Subacute or acute, developing very quickly and lasting for seven days with pronounced manifestations;
Chronic, the development of which is facilitated by absent or ill-chosen treatment. Chronic gynecological pathologies last for years, accompanied by remissions followed by exacerbations. At the same time, at rest, symptoms of the chronic form may not appear.
The atrophic form is formed during menopause; overweight and diabetes can serve as provoking factors.

The gynecological problem under consideration also differs in the nature of the pathogen; inflammation of the vulva can be bacterial or candidiasis. Depending on the changes affecting the mucous layer, the disease can be ulcerative, atrophic or adhesive. As for the symptoms of vulvitis in women, they are quite clearly presented in the table and may vary slightly depending on the form of the pathology:

Forms of pathology	Symptoms
Acute gynecological disease.	There is a burning sensation in the area of the external organs, possible pain when moving, and subsequently itching occurs. Also, subacute and acute courses are characterized by swelling of the tissues, redness of the folds in the groin area, and discharge mixed with pus. The acute form may be accompanied by enlarged lymph nodes in the groin. In the subacute stage, genital warts may be observed in the anus or genital fissure.
Chronic.	Signs include burning, possible redness, itching, but all symptoms are less pronounced than in subacute or acute cases. The main symptom is itching; it is accompanied by diffuse hyperemia, which over time is replaced by spotting. With chronic vulvitis, the mucous layer may become rough and small yellowish nodules form on it
Atrophic form.	Signs of an atrophic disease are swelling of the tissues, severe itching, burning during urination, discomfort during sexual intercourse, while walking, during rubbing of the vulva against the fabric of underwear. The surrounding skin turns red, and the inguinal lymph nodes become inflamed. An increase in temperature is possible.

Almost all forms of the disease in question are accompanied by itching, burning and redness. The labia or clitoris may become enlarged; regular washing can cause problems. Sometimes in women with the development of a chronic process, headaches become symptoms, accompanied by general weakness and malaise.

Another characteristic feature that accompanies subacute and chronic vulvitis is leucorrhoea of varying consistency and color. If the cause of this gynecological problem is E. coli, the unpleasant-smelling discharge becomes yellow-green in color. The presence of staphylococcus provokes the appearance of thick white-yellow leucorrhoea; with gynecological infection by the fungus, a white coating on the mucous layers is possible.

Diagnostic measures and principles of therapy

Competent treatment should be based on a diagnosis confirmed by research. Accordingly, if suspicious signs appear, a woman needs to see a gynecologist, who, in addition to a visual examination, will prescribe certain tests. The doctor collects anamnesis, checks for the presence of other gynecological diseases that can cause the development of an inflammatory process. An examination using a magnifying glass allows you to assess the condition of the organs and find inflamed areas and blisters filled with fluid.

Modern gynecology, in the case of the formation of the disease in question, involves conducting not only vaginal, but also rectal or bimanual examination. When diagnosing such diseases, it is common to take a smear for cytology to determine malignant cells. If necessary, vulvoscopy may be prescribed. Stool analysis allows you to identify helminths in the body.

Treatment of vulvitis in women primarily involves eliminating the pathogen that provoked the development of the disease. This is followed by therapy of the inflammatory process, for which special drugs are selected. It will be necessary to remove every chronic background disease that provokes the formation of the problem in question. In short, only complex therapy can completely cure this female disease. There are a number of recommendations on how to treat vulvitis with the greatest therapeutic effect:

Pathology, accompanied by acute inflammation and other obvious signs, requires bed rest. Additionally, during treatment it is necessary to abstain from sexual intercourse.
To treat vulvitis, it is mandatory to take antimicrobial drugs. They are prescribed in accordance with the female bacteriological culture results.
If severe itching, burning or pain occurs, anesthetics and painkillers are used, and physiotherapeutic methods are used - ultraviolet irradiation or electrophoresis.
If an allergic form of the disease occurs, it is treated using antihistamines. Also, therapeutic measures involve prescribing a diet with the abolition of spicy foods, smoked foods and pickles, sweets and desserts.
In order to strengthen the immune system, they take immunostimulants and vitamin complexes.
In parallel, it is necessary to treat diseases that contribute to the formation of vulvovaginitis.
Local treatment for inflammation involves ointments for vulvitis, creams, compresses and cold lotions, baths and treatment of lesions with antiseptic drugs.

Important. They also do not refuse to treat vulvitis at home using traditional medicine recipes. In this case, it is necessary to discuss each such remedy with your doctor.

Use of medicines and folk remedies

Now in more detail about how, when vulvitis appears, treat the disease at home using ointments, creams, antimicrobial substances and painkillers. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics are Ceftriaxone, Metronidazole, Ornidazole, or broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents. Favorable reviews from patients also mention Trichopolum and Terzhinan.

In addition to tablets, popular antimicrobial agents are preparations in the form of suppositories; the most popular include Macmiror, Hexicon or Terzhinan. Suppositories are recommended to be inserted into the vagina before a night's rest; the duration of use is from 7 to 10 days.

Vulvitis can be cured with antiseptic solutions and ointments; their effectiveness is indicated by many reviews from victims. Such drugs help relieve swelling, discomfort and itching. Miramistin, Hexicon, Betadine, Chlorhexedine and other drugs are used. In the case of an allergic form of the disease, a popular drug to relieve itching is Loratadine, Suprastin or Tavegil. To increase immunity, Viferon, Cycloferon and Genferon are used.

Ointments, creams and gels deserve special consideration for the treatment of vulvitis. Many patients cured the disease using exclusively ointment and other local remedies, while observing bed rest. The main advantage of this therapy is the local effect directly on the infectious focus. At the same time, the local medicine does not affect other organs and does not cause dysbiosis or other complications. The drug used can be an anesthetic, antifungal, antiseptic; the choice of drug depends on the etiology of the disease. The universal and most popular ointment for vulvitis is Betadine, the active component in it is Povidone-iodine. The drug has a positive effect on viral, bacterial and fungal infections and is effective in the case of nonspecific inflammation.

Another popular ointment used to treat the disease is Hexicon. The drug affects numerous microorganisms, excluding fungi, viruses and bacteria that are resistant to acidic environments. Gels and creams with antimycotic properties include Pimafucin, Ifenek, Candide and Lomexin. Zovirax is used against viral pathogens, and among the antimicrobial gels, Dalatsin and Clindamycin are most in demand.

Now about how to cure pathology using folk recipes. Home treatment is most often based on taking sitz baths, washing external organs with herbal decoctions, and douching. Let's consider how to treat pathology:

Chamomile baths are effective - add two large spoons of crushed chamomile to one liter of boiled liquid, bring the product to a boil, leave for 30 minutes and filter before use.
St. John's wort is used as a washing liquid - two large spoons of the plant are steamed in half a liter of boiling water, cover the container with a lid and cook over low heat for another five minutes, then cool and filter.
For douching, mix half a large spoon of crushed oak bark with the same amount of chamomile, add one and a half spoons of nettle and two large spoons of bird knotweed. The mixture is steamed in one liter of boiled water, infused and filtered, used twice a day, diluting two large spoons of the product in a liter of heated water.

The best way to avoid treatment is to prevent the development of the disease. To do this, it is recommended to review intimate hygiene products, strengthen the immune system, get rid of excess weight, and not necessarily ignore preventive visits to the gynecological office.

Vulvitis in women is an inflammatory process affecting the external genitalia, called the vulva. This area includes the clitoris, labia (both major and minor), pubis, and the entire hymen (in girls). In addition, the vulva includes the vagina itself, the glands contained in it, and the formation that covers the urinary canal and is located in the labia (bulb).

This disease has an acute and chronic course. If a woman begins to feel the first symptoms of acute vulvitis, then it should be treated immediately so that it does not become chronic.

Causes of the disease

The factors that cause vulvitis are such natural causes as the presence of constant high humidity combined with the high temperature in which the external genital organs are located. In addition, the presence of vulvar folds and increased tissue sensitivity lead to the development of the disease.

The main reasons that cause vulvitis:

infections (streptococci, various fungi, as well as gonococci, chlamydia and various viruses);
oral sex;
long-term use of antibiotics, drugs containing hormones, as well as drugs that suppress the functions of the immune system (immunity will decrease and inflammation of the genital organs may develop). The above agents kill normal microflora and cause dysbacteriosis. It can manifest itself as sexual intercourse;
other diseases, which include leukemia;
malignant tumors that arise in the female genital organs;
other inflammatory diseases - pyosalpinx, or;
inflammatory processes in the urethra;
formation of fistulas between the vagina and bladder;
presence of helminths (worms);
allergies to various substances that are part of perfumes or cosmetics, toilet paper, soap, deodorants;
poor adherence to personal hygiene rules (especially for women who are overweight and prone to diaper rash). With insufficient care, inflammation occurs on the external genital organs, which can also spread to the internal genital organs;
factors of mechanical, chemical type (masturbation, douching with aggressive substances);
prolonged exposure to damp conditions (bathing).

Vaginitis and vulvitis tend to develop during the period when the female body contains a large amount of the hormone estrogen - in childhood, adolescence or postmenopause. Vulvitis also often develops during pregnancy, which requires close attention from a specialist and special treatment. Only a good specialist should treat him, and all the drugs he will prescribe should not harm the health of the unborn child.

Symptoms

Acute vulvitis characterized by the following symptoms:

the presence of redness in the vulva area;
swelling of the labia (major or minor);
painful sensations that become stronger during walking, urination or sexual intercourse;
itching and burning sensations in the genital area;
the presence of bubbles that contain liquid. After some time, they open and then become crusty;
the presence of plaque, ulcerative formations, plaques (these symptoms are characteristic of a chronic course);
in some cases – fever and general malaise.

Chronic vulvitis tends to manifest itself in the form of itching in the genitals. Often this disease develops in women with diabetes. If the patient experiences a symptom such as itching, do not aggravate the situation and scratch the genitals, as this can cause tissue infection.

Before contacting a specialist, you should take a warm bath, into which you can pour a decoction of chamomile, calendula or string flowers. It is also worth knowing that you should wipe your vulva carefully, moving from front to back, but not vice versa. The genitals should always be clean and dry. The first symptoms of the disease should be a signal to contact a gynecologist, because it will be more difficult to treat acute vulvitis, which in the future may spread to the vagina and internal genital organs.

Types of disease

The causes of the development of the disease divide the pathology into two types:

primary type vulvitis– manifests itself in childhood or adolescence against the background of propensities for other diseases;
secondary type vulvitis– manifests itself when a woman is of reproductive age and has other diseases.

According to the clinical course of the disease, it can be divided into:

acute vulvitis. This disease has more pronounced symptoms;
chronic vulvitis. Symptoms are less noticeable. If the disease is not treated, complications will begin to develop in the form of ulcers (ulcerative vulvitis).

Diagnosis of the disease

Vulvitis is easy to diagnose, but the main thing is to start treating it correctly. Usually the reason for visiting a doctor is one or more symptoms of the disease. For example, itching or burning. The doctor, after reviewing the history of life and illnesses, will conclude that there are other diseases that could cause inflammation of the external genitalia. The gynecologist, whom a woman needs to contact in such cases, will carry out a number of necessary diagnostic procedures in order to begin treating inflammation based on the data obtained.

Manipulations performed by a gynecologist:

examine organs using a magnifying glass. This will allow him to identify areas of inflammation and identify bubbles with liquid;
will conduct an examination (vaginal, rectal or bimanual);
will take a smear for cytological examination. It can detect whether there are malignant cells on the external genitalia. The analysis will also identify the causative agent of the disease;
perform vulvoscopy if necessary;
will prescribe a stool test to detect helminths.

Treatment of the disease

Treatment of vulvitis consists of eliminating the cause that causes the symptoms of the disease. If a woman has an acute stage of the disease, the gynecologist will recommend that she abstain from sexual activity and undergo treatment in bed. The disease can be treated with special medications that restore the microflora of the genital organs. In addition, the doctor will prescribe the patient to take baths that contain herbal decoctions, as well as solutions of chlorhexidine, potassium permanganate and other medications.

Treatment of vulvitis requires the use of antibacterial drugs (creams, ointments), which are applied to the external genital area and also introduced into the internal organs (vagina). To completely cure a disease means to rid the patient of all unpleasant symptoms. It will be possible to say that a woman is completely healthy only after taking a second smear, in which no pathogens will be detected.

Often, women after menopause develop atrophic vulvitis. This disease is usually diagnosed at an appointment with a gynecologist. In some cases, the woman does not even make any complaints. Treatment of this disease should only be comprehensive - taking vitamins, baths with medicinal herbs, as well as treating the external genitalia with creams and ointments.

Treatment of vulvitis is also carried out with the help of vitamins (group E, C, A). Allergic vulvitis is treated using special antiallergic drugs. Also, in order to properly treat the disease, you need to eliminate allergens. For example, replace intimate hygiene products, soap and other cosmetics. If a woman has been diagnosed with allergic vulvitis, then she needs to choose hypoallergenic hygiene products. It is completely possible to cure this disease both in adolescence and postmenopausal age.

Prevention of the disease

Allergic vulvitis or another type of it can be prevented by following the rules of personal hygiene and also leading a safe sex life. You also need to avoid those factors that are fundamental to this disease. If a woman notices symptoms of vulvitis or vaginitis, she should immediately consult a qualified doctor and undergo adequate treatment.

Acute vulvitis in women is pronounced inflammatory processes occurring in the external genitalia. The symptoms of this disease are uncomfortable and can cause serious complications. Women of reproductive age suffer from the disease less often than girls before puberty and women of post-menopausal age. After the first signs of vulvitis appear, you should immediately visit a gynecologist. Timely therapy will help avoid relapses and complications.

Anatomical features of the vulva

The vulva is the female genital area. It is located on the outside of the pubic bones. It includes the external genitalia - labia, Bartholin's glands, vestibule of the vagina, hymen, pubis, clitoris, bulb. The pubis is a tubercle formed by extremely developed subcutaneous tissue. Below it there are paired skin folds. These are the labia majora, which form two commissures where they meet. In their anterior third is the bulb of the vestibule - a dense venous formation. In the posterior third of the lips there are paired Bartholin glands. The labia minora are located inside the labia majora, which cover them. The entrance to the vagina is covered by the hymen, a fold of mucous membrane. It includes blood vessels, nerves, and muscle fibers. In its original form, the hymen has a small hole. As a result of the first sexual intercourse, it increases. After birth, it collapses, leaving myrtle-shaped papillae. The blood supply to the vulva occurs through the obturator artery and genital branches.

Forms

Depending on the etiology of the disease, primary and secondary vulvitis are distinguished. In the first case, the cause of the disease is poor hygiene or injury. Secondary vulvitis develops due to infection that occurs in other organs. These could be kidneys, tonsils, uterus, etc.

The primary manifestation of the disease is typical for girls who have not reached childbearing age, as well as women who have reached menopause. This is due to the peculiarities of the processes occurring in the genital organs. The vulvar mucosa in girls is thinner and more susceptible to injury. Their local immunity is not yet strong enough. The microflora does not contain Doderlein bacillus, but is replete with coccal forms.

Women who reach menopause experience permanent changes. Menstruation stops, estrogen levels decrease, and the mucosal surface atrophies. It “dries out” due to a decrease in vaginal discharge. Its surface becomes damaged and infected. This is how the primary disease appears.

Women of childbearing age are more resistant to infections that lead to primary vulvitis. They have a more stable hormonal background and the dominance of fermented milk microflora in the vagina. Secondary vulvitis is a consequence of inflammatory manifestations of nonspecific and specific reactions. These can be diseases such as endocervicitis, colpitis, cervicitis, etc.

Causes

The acute course of the disease is provoked by nonspecific opportunistic microflora, pinworms, fungi, and Trichomonas. The main causes of vulvitis:

The formation of acute vulvitis in women is favored by insufficient estrogen levels. This condition is observed in children before reaching childbearing age and women after menopause.

Signs of the disease

The acute form of the disease in women is characterized by the following symptoms:

hyperemia, swelling of the genital organs;
discharge: purulent, watery, sanguineous;
enlargement of regional lymph nodes;
painful sensations that increase when walking, touching, urinating;
severe itching, burning;
the appearance of purulent blisters is possible.

Most often, acute vulvitis is characterized by copious discharge. The labia become bright red and become very swollen. This leads to discomfort while walking and pain when urinating. There is unbearable itching and burning in the area of the external genitalia. Patients with vulvitis experience rapid fatigue and possibly increased body temperature. Women feel some weakness. Sometimes small blisters are found on the surface of the genital organs, which are a consequence of the inflammatory process. Pus forms inside them.

Diagnostics

To make a correct diagnosis, an immediate visit to a gynecologist is required. At the appointment, the doctor interviews the patient and examines the genitals. During the conversation, the time of appearance and degree of manifestation of symptoms is revealed, the characteristics of sexual life, the presence of chronic ailments and past diseases are clarified. During the examination, the gynecologist checks the condition of the genital organs, the presence and characteristics of discharge, and palpates the lymph nodes.

In addition, to identify acute vulvitis, the following studies are carried out as prescribed by a specialist:

blood and urine examination;
bacteriological examination of secretions;
analysis of vaginal and cervical smears;
diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections;
examination of a smear from the urethra;
fecal analysis for the content of helminth eggs;
culture for sensitivity to antibiotics;
blood sugar test.

During the examination, possible concomitant abnormalities that cause acute inflammation are identified.

Treatment of the disease

If a woman is diagnosed with vulvitis, treatment is prescribed individually for each patient after a thorough examination. First of all, the patient must remain in bed. It is also necessary to completely abstain from sexual activity during therapy. It is strictly not recommended to scratch itchy areas. This will lead to additional infection, worsening symptoms and increasing the duration of therapy.

Depending on the degree of the disease, the gynecologist prescribes an individual course of treatment. This may include the following activities:

Local treatment of the vulva with medicinal compounds. For this purpose, chlorhexidine and decamethoxin are used.
Treatment with antifungal drugs.
Vaginal suppositories, tampons, tablets. Since the causative agents of the disease may differ, the method is selected individually in each case. The drug used must have a depressing effect on a specific microorganism.
Antiviral ointments. Among those recommended for the treatment of acute vulvitis are instillagel, vocadine, betadine, etc.
Immunomodeling therapy.
Physiological local procedures. To treat vulvitis, UV irradiation, electrophoresis with novocaine or calcium chloride are prescribed.
Taking specific antibiotics based on the causes of the disease.
Drying treatment. Products based on zinc oxide, streptocide, folliculin, and talc have proven themselves well.
Taking vitamin preparations. Among the recommended ones are aevit, riboflavin, thiamine chloride, ascorbic acid, etc.

In case of severe itching, due to which a woman experiences insomnia, sleeping pills may be prescribed. If you do not pay attention to acute vulvitis, treatment may take longer. An untreated disease can become chronic, accompanied by periods of exacerbation.

Traditional methods of treatment

It is not possible to completely cure acute vulvitis with folk remedies. They serve only as supporting measures. Traditional methods include douching and taking baths. For this you can use the following plants:

Pharmaceutical chamomile. An infusion is prepared from it. To do this, add 1 tbsp to 1 liter of boiling water. lie plant flowers. The infusion should boil for 10 minutes. After this it is cooled. Use for douching and baths, after mixing 1 liter of water and 200 milliliters of infusion.
Oak bark. For 2 liters of boiling water take 2 tbsp. lie bark, which is first crushed. The infusion should boil for 10 minutes. Use it in the same way as chamomile, after diluting it with water.
Composition of knotweed, oak bark, chamomile and nettle. For 1 liter of boiling water take 2 tbsp. lie collection The herb is infused for half an hour. After filtering, use for douching and baths.
Horse alum. For 1 liter of boiling water take 1 tbsp. lie plant root. After it has infused for half an hour, it is filtered. The tincture is used warm.

In any case, to treat vulvitis in women, traditional methods are used in complex therapy. Herbs for douching and baths should be used only after consultation with a gynecologist.

Exacerbation of acute vulvitis

Without timely treatment, acute vulvitis can cause unpleasant complications:

development of chronic vulvitis, which relapses more often and is more difficult to treat;
possible development of cervical erosion;
lack of proper treatment can lead to infertility;
the infection that caused vulvitis can spread to other parts of the genitourinary system;
possible inflammation of the inner layer of the uterus, that is, the appearance of endometritis;
in postmenopausal women, untreated disease leads to hypoxia of the vaginal walls;
In girls, fusion of the labia - synechia - is possible.

To prevent complications, it is necessary to begin treatment when the first symptoms of the disease appear. Also, you should not treat acute vulvitis in women on your own. This can lead to negative consequences.

Prevention

To prevent the occurrence of such an unpleasant disease, preventive measures should be taken:

following the rules of personal hygiene;
timely treatment of diseases of the genitourinary system;
use of barrier methods of contraception during casual sexual intercourse;
visiting a gynecologist after unprotected sexual intercourse with a partner who is in doubt;
contacting a specialist and treatment under his supervision at the first manifestation of negative symptoms;
when changing sexual partners, you should be tested for sexually transmitted infections;
avoiding hypothermia;
conducting regular preventive examinations;
maintaining immunity with vitamin and modulating drugs;
a diet with limited refined carbohydrates and increased protein content in food;
detection and timely treatment of helminthiasis;
getting rid of obesity, treating diabetes.

By following these tips, a woman will never know how acute infectious vulvitis is an unpleasant disease. Since vulvitis can appear in childhood, mothers should teach their daughters hygiene rules as early as possible. This will be the key to healthy genital organs and disease prevention.

Vulvitis is an inflammation affecting the external genitalia. The disease occurs in women regardless of age. Girls (from birth to the onset of puberty) and elderly women are more susceptible to the disease. If vulvitis develops, treatment must be carried out immediately.

Without timely treatment, the infection penetrates the internal genital organs, causing dangerous complications. In some cases, it becomes the cause of infertility. Pathology that occurs in girls sometimes leads to fusion of the labia minora.

With this disease, the mucous membranes of the vulva - the female genital organs (labia, clitoris, vagina) become inflamed. In patients during menopause and in childhood, primary vulvitis develops - the infection penetrates into tissue lesions. This happens due to the peculiarities of the anatomical structure of the organs and the reduced amount of sex hormones.

When the concentration of hormones is normal, the microflora of the vulva is acidic. Pathogenic organisms are not able to develop in it. With a deficiency of female hormones, an insufficient amount of beneficial fermented milk bacteria is produced that can destroy pathogenic microbes.

In children, the mucous membranes are thin and tender, they are easily injured. In older women, tissues undergo destructive changes, become thinner, lose moisture and elasticity. For this reason, they are easy to damage.

Women of reproductive age are affected by the secondary form of the disease. The disease is caused by infections that affect the genital organs located inside the body.

The disease occurs in acute and chronic forms. If acute vulvitis is not treated properly, it becomes chronic, often recurs, and causes serious complications.

Causes

Pathology develops if:

insufficient attention is paid to hygiene procedures;
mucous membranes are injured (they have scratches, erosions, scratches, ulcers);
there are diseases of the reproductive system;
the patient is infected with worms;
endocrine imbalance has occurred (for example, due to diabetes mellitus).

Symptoms

Main signs of the disease:

itching and burning of the skin in the groin, vestibule of the vagina, pubis, thighs, labia, clitoris;
soreness in the vestibule of the vagina;
swelling of the mucous membranes of the vulva;
accumulation of pathogenic exudate;
enlarged lymph nodes;
sleep disturbance;
bad feeling;
irritability.

The nature of leucorrhoea depends on the pathogen that caused the disease. Candida vulvitis is characterized by the appearance of white flakes. With staphylococcal infection, a pyogenic yellowish-white substance is observed. E. coli causes a foul-smelling, greenish-yellow, watery exudate.

The severity of symptoms is influenced by the severity of inflammation and the causes of the pathology. Acute vulvitis in women manifests itself as follows:

causes discomfort: itching, burning;
hurts;
provokes the appearance of edema and hyperemia;
causes the formation of erosions.

The chronic form of the disease is accompanied by:

increased itching;
difficulty urinating;
painful sexual intercourse;
redness of epithelial tissues;
scanty discharge.

Drug therapy

If the disease develops, the problem of how to treat vulvitis is easily solved. Patients are prescribed medications for general and local therapy and are advised to abstain from intimacy.

If vulvitis is caused by sexually transmitted infections, a course of antibiotics is prescribed to both partners. In the secondary form of the disease, the disease that provoked vulvitis is treated.

During treatment, emphasis is placed on hygiene procedures. Women need to wash themselves three times a day using:

solution of potassium permanganate or furatsilin;
herbal extracts from chamomile, St. John's wort or calendula (they are also used for douching).

The following drugs are prescribed for the treatment of pathology::

Diet

Patients are advised to adhere to a diet. Baked goods, spicy, smoked, and salty foods are removed from the diet. Fermented milk products, vegetable, fruit and berry dishes are introduced into the diet.

Treatment for girls

antiallergenic agents;
medications with calcium.

If the body's defenses are weakened, treatment of vulvitis in girls is carried out using:

immunomodulators;
multivitamins.

Treatment during pregnancy

Vulvitis in pregnant women is dangerous because the inflammation is located near the reproductive organ - the uterus. Pathogens penetrate the placenta through the bloodstream, causing the development of congenital anomalies and miscarriage.

It is impossible to hope that vulvitis will disappear spontaneously during pregnancy. To reduce the likelihood of complications, treat the disease with external means. If there is a need to use antibiotics, use Augmentin. Other antibiotic drugs cause many side effects that are undesirable during pregnancy.

In addition, treatment of vulvitis during pregnancy is carried out using traditional methods. Preparations with plant extracts are used after consultation with a gynecologist.

Traditional treatment methods

Treatment of vulvitis at home is carried out not only with medications, but also with folk remedies. For treatment, use prescriptions recommended by your doctor.

When carrying out treatment, several rules should be followed:

avoid injury;
avoid maceration of the vulva (for this reason, lotions, compresses, and irrigation with clean water are prohibited);
for washing and douching it is necessary to use astringent antiseptic solutions;
After water procedures, the vulva should be blotted with a napkin.

Drink

Patients must maintain a drinking regime. To do this, they are advised to drink plenty of warm fruit drinks and compotes made from:

currants;
dried fruits;
cranberries;
lingonberries.

Products for baths, douching, irrigation

Therapeutic tampons

Vulvitis in women is effectively treated when tampons soaked in antiseptics are used. The procedures are carried out as follows:

The tampon is dipped in liquid honey, allowed to soak and inserted into the vagina. Removed after half a day. They are treated for two weeks.
A tampon soaked in sea buckthorn oil is inserted into the vagina before bed. They clean it up in the morning. The oil is also used to treat the labia.
Peach oil helps with illness. They make tampons with it and lubricate the vulva.

Herbs for internal use

If vulvitis occurs, treatment at home is carried out using decoctions and infusions taken orally. They strengthen the immune system, suppress inflammation, soothe, relieve itching and burning..

When chewing white acacia flowers, a juice is released that can relieve the symptoms of the disease.
To eliminate the inflammatory process, use a decoction of viburnum. Place a tablespoon of viburnum leaves in 200 ml of boiling water and simmer for 10 minutes. The cooled and filtered product is consumed in a tablespoon three times a day.
Strengthens the immune system, relieves symptoms, a collection prepared from coltsfoot, wintergreen, sweet clover (1:1:1). Add a tablespoon of the mixture to 200 ml of boiling water and simmer for 15 minutes. Cool, filter, consume a tablespoon three times a day.
Mix valerian, lemon balm, mantle and nettle in a ratio of 2:2:3:3. Brew 2 tablespoons of herbal mixture in 1 liter of boiling water. After five hours, filter. The entire infusion is drunk per day, consuming 100 ml at a time. For treatment, a fresh infusion is made daily.

If vulvitis occurs, the symptoms and treatment are determined by the gynecologist. Self-medication is not always effective. Sometimes the result is a deterioration of the condition and the development of complications. Complex therapy helps to quickly cope with the disease: the simultaneous use of medicines and folk remedies.

Much has already been said about inflammation of the female genital organs, including on the pages of this resource. A large number of explanations and definitions are given, many leading symptoms are highlighted and the latest treatment methods are described. It's time to talk about inflammation of the outermost part of the female reproductive system - inflammation of the external genitalia - vulvitis. In the article we will talk about what it is, why it appears and how to treat vulvitis.

The symptoms characteristic of vulvitis - swelling, redness of the labia majora and minora, their itching and burning, despite all the triviality, are quite easily confused with vaginitis and (bacterial vaginosis, etc.), as well as sexually transmitted infections (trichomoniasis, urogenital chlamydia, etc.), which significantly complicates the independent diagnosis of vulvitis.

Causes and ways of spreading

The palm among the root causes of almost all inflammatory diseases (and not only in gynecology) undoubtedly belongs to microorganisms.

Primary vulvitis develops more often in girls, since their skin and the mucous membrane of the vulva itself are very thin, tender and are not protected by Doderlein sticks, due to insufficient maturity; and also in older women who have experienced menopause, their estrogen level drops to a minimum and atrophy of the mucous membrane, including the vulva, occurs; vaginal secretion, which has powerful protective properties, is produced in reduced quantities, their mucous membrane seems to “dry out.”

Risk factors here may include the following:

Failure to maintain intimate hygiene (including diaper rash due to obesity).
Mechanical (scratching, including for helminthiasis in children, trauma, abrasions), thermal and chemical effects on the skin of the vulva (vestibule of the vagina).
Hormonal dysfunction of the body, for example, in diabetes mellitus, metabolic obesity, ovarian hypofunction, etc. This risk factor is based on the peculiarity of almost all tissues that make up the female reproductive system, which react very sensitively to the level of various hormones secreted by the body independently, or introduced into it artificially from the outside . This protective-adaptive mechanism helps the woman’s reproductive system adapt to any changes in the body. Therefore, any changes in hormonal levels seem to echo on the reproductive system.

Secondary vulvitis occurs most often in women of reproductive age and consists of the spread of pathogenic flora from the vagina, rectum or urethra. This also includes infection of the vulva due to urinary incontinence, in the presence of fistulas from the intestines or bladder.

A special place in the development of secondary vulvitis belongs to non-compliance with the rules of intimate hygiene during the period, since blood is the most favorable nutrient medium for most microorganisms.

Symptoms

One of the first symptoms of vulvitis is pain when urinating.

To the above hyperemia and swelling of the vulva it is worth adding:

Pain that occurs when urinating, touching, or even moving;
Itching and burning in the vestibule of the vagina;
Enlargement of regional, in this case inguinal, lymph nodes, possibly their soreness;
Discharge from the genital tract that accompanies vulvitis is often attributed not to the consequence of the disease, but to its cause (for example, curdled discharge due to candidiasis, etc.);
Rarely, but possible increase in body temperature.

Diagnostics

An additional diagnostic method for vulvitis is taking smears from the surface of the vulva, vagina, urethra, and conducting their bacterioscopic and bacteriological examination. This is done to identify the causative agent of the disease. And to prescribe adequate antibiotic therapy, it is necessary to determine the sensitivity of the identified pathogen to antibacterial drugs.

Treatment

How to treat vulvitis? The basis of therapy should not be getting rid of the symptoms of the disease that so mercilessly torment a woman, but eliminating the main factor that caused the pathology.

Main aspects of therapy:

Rinsing the vulva and vagina with antiseptic solutions (Chlorhexidine®, Miramistin®, etc.), infusions of herbs (chamomile, sage, calendula, etc.). It is better to do douching once a day, at night, not forgetting to wash the labia majora and minora with the solution.
Antibacterial drugs in the form of vaginal suppositories, for example Terzhinan®, Neo-Penotran®, Macmiror®, etc. They are usually administered after washing, at night, for 7-10 days.
For severe itching, antihistamines (Tavegil®, Claritin®, etc.) are used.
In case of severe pain and burning, additional anesthetic ointments are used.

After the disappearance of objective clinical signs and improvement of the woman’s well-being, to speed up the reparative processes, ointments with vitamins A, E, as well as sea buckthorn oil, rosehip oil, Actovegin®, Solcoseryl® and others are applied to the vulva area.

Which doctor should I contact?

To treat vulvitis, you need to consult a gynecologist. For candidiasis of the genital organs, a mycologist (a specialist in fungal diseases) will additionally help you choose the right treatment, and for sexually transmitted diseases, a venereologist.