Overview of Vulvar Ulcers

Vulvar ulcer is a skin ulcer caused by the stimulation of bacteria and viruses on the skin and mucous membrane of the female vulva, or by syphilis, lymphogranuloma venereum and cancer. Vulvar ulcers caused by sexually transmitted diseases should initially be managed with reasonable control of infected lesions and tracking of pathogens. All sex partners should be treated regardless of whether they have symptoms or not. Pay attention to co-infection with other sexually transmitted diseases, especially whether it is combined with HIV infection. At present, the most effective prevention method is to avoid contact with infected skin lesions. Condoms can reduce the spread of the disease. Couples are not suitable for sexual intercourse during the infection period. The actual vulvar ulcer is briefly described as follows:

The most common cause of female vulvar ulcers is vulvitis, and many diseases can cause vulvar inflammation, such as nonspecific vulvitis, herpes simplex virus infection, chancroid, lymphogranuloma venereum, syphilis, private tuberculosis, Behcet's disease, etc. Vulvar ulcers may occur in the development process of these diseases. About 1/3 of vulvar cancers present with vulvar ulcers in the early stages of the disease.

What are the main manifestations of subacute vulvar ulcer?

Because the causes of subacute vulvar ulcers are different, the clinical symptoms are also different.

(1) Nonspecific vulvitis: The condition is mild, mostly occurs after scratching, the ulcers are superficial, but the pain is obvious.

(2) Sexually transmitted diseases: Many sexually transmitted diseases will cause vulvar ulcers during the course of the disease, with detailed descriptions of genital herpes, chancroid, lymphogranuloma venereum, and syphilis.

(3) Behcet's disease: also known as eye-mouth-sex organ syndrome. During the course of the disease, subacute vulvar ulcers often occur, and the most common sites of disease occurrence are the inner side of the labia minora, the inner 1/2 of the labia majora, and the vestibule of the vagina. The clinical symptoms have the following three forms:

Hypertensive gangrene type: the clinical manifestations are the most serious. Before the ulcer occurs, there are systemic symptoms such as fever and fatigue. The affected area is significantly swollen, the number of ulcers is small, the appearance is like a hole, deep and with irregular edges. There is a lot of thick fluid adhered to the surface of the ulcer, or there is dirty yellow or black-gray pseudomembrane adhered. After removing the pseudomembrane, the uneven muscle base can be seen. The disease progresses rapidly, sometimes causing large areas of tissue erosion and destruction, and its appearance is similar to vulvar cancer, but its edges and base are soft. The patient has severe pain.

Blood chancre type: This type is more common. The disease is relatively advanced and there are no significant systemic symptoms before the onset of the disease. The ulcers are numerous and superficial, but the total area is large, with swelling around the edges, uneven edges, and perforation. The surface of the ulcers is covered with pus. The patient's symptoms are mild and the ulcer heals within a few weeks, but new ulcers may appear around it.

Supplementary millet type: This type of ulcer has a large number of ulcers, but the disease is small, ranging from the size of a sharp needle to a millet grain. The symptoms are very mild and heal quickly.

Vulvar ulcer prevention measures

Vulvar ulcer is a common gynecological disease, and the symptoms cannot be taken seriously, which can easily lead to delayed disease progression. More serious symptoms may occur, so we should prevent infectious diseases in our daily lives. What are the ways to prevent vulvar ulcers?

1. First of all, we need to enhance thematic education and strictly prohibit the criminal acts of prostitution. At the same time, we also need to pay attention to our daily hygiene. Prompt and complete treatment of the disease in its early stages can prevent the disease from developing to the advanced stage.

2. Basic syphilis serological tests must be done before marriage and during pregnancy. When donating blood, the blood source must be strictly selected, and the blood donor must undergo a syphilis blood cell test.

3. Vulvar ulcers caused by reproductive tract infection should be effectively controlled in the early stages, and sexual partners should be treated regardless of whether they have symptoms or not. Also pay attention to mixed infection with other sexually transmitted diseases, especially combined HIV infection. It is not advisable to have sexual intercourse during the infection period.

4. If a woman has vulvar ulcers, she needs to seek medical treatment immediately. Because the disease can cause more serious harm to the patient, if it is not treated in time, more serious symptoms may occur. Therefore, when women have problems, they should actively treat themselves and also take active precautions to avoid infecting others and causing more serious conditions.