Vulvitis, an inflammation of the vulva, is a very common yet often misunderstood condition affecting many women in today’s world.

Have you ever experienced vulvitis, an unexplainable discomfort? Do you wonder what causes the condition? Have you ever wondered if there are any possible home- remedies that can help to reduce the discomfort? You’re not alone, it’s a common condition that can occur in females.  Understanding the condition would help us deal significantly with it when encountering it. Let’s learn about its details and essentials.

Introduction

Vulvitis is a gynaecological condition that can affect any female at any age. It is an inflammation of the vulvar region, i.e. soft folds of skin outside the vagina. It could be caused by a variety of conditions that could lead to a variety of symptoms based on the severity of the inflammation.¹ Vulvitis is primarily caused by infection, irritants, allergies and many other causes. The symptoms include irritation and discomfort. As multiple causes can lead to vulvitis, it is important to find and treat the cause, as the persistence of the symptoms could be very uncomfortable during daily activities. 

Causes of vulvitis

Infection

• Bacteria
  • Staphylococcus aureus 
  • Strepto coccus pyogenes 
  • Gardnerella vaginalis  
• Yeast 
  • Candida albicans 
• Viruses
  • Herpes simplex virus ( HSV ) 
  • Human papillomavirus ( HPV ) 
• Parasites
  • Trichomonas vaginalis 

These infective agents tend to disrupt the balance of microorganisms in and around the vulva causing the symptoms of vulvitis 

Irritants/Allergens: some common vulvar irritants and allergens:² 

• Antiseptics 
• Body fluids 
• Body soaps 
• Condoms 
• Contraceptive creams
• Dyes
• Toilet papers 
• Laundry products 
• Menstrual products 
• Sanitary wipes 
• Vaginal hygiene products 
• Medications 

Hormonal changes 

Menopause - changes in the fauna of the vulvar region and the texture of the skin can lead to inflammation and discomfort causing vulvitis,, 

Other factors 

Tight clothing - poor flow of air could lead to trapping of moisture and providing a place for the growth of pathogens such as yeast or bacteria. 

Poor hygiene 

Vulvitis can also be caused in kids who wear diapers most of the time due to the presence of moisture which leads to the sprouting of infective agents.

Symptoms of vulvitis

Common symptoms of vulvitis include: 

• Redness and swelling form small bubble-like structures filled with fluid
• Itching and irritation - chronic itching conditions may lead to the presence of fissures, lichen formation, or scaling of the affected area²
• Pain or discomfort 
• Discharge or odour ( usually when the condition is associated with an infective agent)²
• Burning sensation or sores²

Diagnosis

A complete health history, physical examination, and pelvic examination are carried out. The person might have to undergo blood and urine tests and also get checked for any possibility of STIs to pinpoint the accurate cause and treat them accordingly.¹

Treatment and management

Usually in cases of allergic or irritant causes the person is asked to remove the causing agent and to take a sitz bath twice a day; which includes soaking for 20 min in warm water containing two tablespoons of baking soda², but if the itching persists oral medication is prescribed. For the other conditions cortisol creams or estrogen creams are prescribed based on the cause of the condition.

When to see a doctor?

Vulvitis can be a bothersome condition as it causes discomfort.  It would be optimal to visit the doctor if the symptoms persist and get worse, affecting daily tasks. Starting the treatment immediately would give relief from the symptoms.

Summary

Vulvutis is a common condition affecting women in everyday life. It is characterized by inflammation, irritation or discomfort and in some cases discharge in the vulvar region. This condition can affect women of all ages. Vulvitis can be caused by several agents such as infection by yeast, bacteria, viruses etc or could be due to exposure to allergic or irritant substances which could be from daily used soaps, talcum powder allergic medications, other causes also include hormonal changes, poor hygiene and clothing style. Hence pinpointing the actual cause and treating it accordingly would be very crucial. Symptoms can include swelling, itching, irritation burning sensation and soreness. Based on the severity of the conditions the physical examination findings may defer - from mild swelling and redness in mild cases; to scaling and lichenification in the severe and chronic conditions. Diagnostic methods include a thorough review of history, blood tests, and urine tests and can also include testing for any STI.

Treatment options include avoiding irritants, taking sitz baths twice a day and using prescribed medications like cortisol or estrogen creams. Persistent symptoms can be suggestive of a visit to the doctor for medical advice.

Key point of the summary

Definition of vulvitis: inflammation in the vulvar region.

Symptoms of vulvitis: redness, swelling, discomfort, itching.

Diagnostic methods for vulvitis: medical history, physical examination and lab analysis. 

Treatment given for vulvitis: ranges from avoiding the allergic agent to usage of preventive measures.

When should consultation be done:  if symptoms persist or worsen?

Commonly asked questions

• What are the main causes of vulvitis? - Vulvitis can primarily be caused by infection, irritants, allergies and hormonal changes
• Are there any home remedies? - Getting rid of the allergen ( causative agent ) and having sitz baths twice a day; if itching or symptoms worsen or persist please seek medical advice
• What is a sitz bath? - Soaking the perineal area in lukewarm water containing two tablespoons of baking soda, to relieve discomfort
• Can vulvitis go away on its own? - Yes, vulvitis can subside on its own but exposure again to the allergen or irritative agent could lead to a recurrence of the condition. he symptoms can worsen when required management is not done and cause obstruction in day-to-day life, hence getting medical advice is encouraged
• How can I prevent vulvitis from recurrence- Maintenance of personal hygiene and also being aware and staying away from allergic agents/irritants
• Is vulvitis contagious? - Yes, vulvitis can be contagious, the most common cause being a yeast infection.  The spores of yeast could be transported to other items of clothing or individuals when come in contact with it and thus cause the contamination of the infection  
• What lifestyle changes can help in managing vulvitis? - Maintaining personal hygiene would help in managing vulvitis. Reducing exposure to irritants or allergens and wearing clothing that would allow the flow of air and prevent trapping of moisture